PORTLAND, Maine — Two of Portland Downtown’s signature holiday events, Shop for a Cause Day and Merry Madness, have collectively raised $10,000 for Preble Street and the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund.

Shop for a Cause Day, held November 28, encourages residents and visitors alike to shop local while giving back to the community. 40 Downtown locations participated this year, each donating a portion of their sales on November 28 to Preble Street, a nonprofit that works to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty.

“We were thrilled Preble Street was chosen by Portland Downtown as the beneficiary of this year’s Shop for a Cause Day. While the donation itself provides a critical boost to our efforts to meet growing needs, we’re also buoyed by the spirit of generosity behind the dollars raised,” said Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street. “There is no way we could alleviate hunger, end homelessness, and offer hope to those in poverty without members of our community–private citizens and businesses alike–who understand we’re all in it together. We’re proud to partner with our local business community and with Portland Downtown in making this city a place we can all be proud of.”

Shop for a Cause Day participants included Asia West, The Black Dog, Blazin’ Ace Smoke Shop & Glass Gallery, Christmas Noel, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Coffee By Design, Cool As A Moose, Cross Jewelers, CS Boutique, D. Cole Jewelers, Dean’s Sweets, Dobra Tea, Edgecomb Potters, The Fish and Bone, Folia Jewelry, Hub Furniture Co., justKim, k. colette, LeRoux Kitchen, Liberty Graphics, Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine, Lovell Designs, Maine’s Pantry, The Mensroom, Mexicali Blues, Midnight Boutique Lingerie II, Motifs, Nomia, OTTO, Portland Trading Co., Se Vende Imports, Siempre Mas, The Sock Shack, Sweetgrass Winery + Distillery, Swiss Time, Treehouse Toys, Vena’s Fizz House, Visibility, White Cap Grille and Zane.

Portland Downtown’s Merry Madness event, held December 10, is designed to attract hundreds of residents and visitors to Downtown for an unforgettable holiday shopping experience in the Old Port and Arts District. This year, a portion of Merry Madness ticket sales benefitted the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund. Since 1949, the Toy Fund has provided toys for thousands of Maine children and families in need during the holiday season.

“The holiday spirit is alive and well in Portland,” said Casey Gilbert, executive director of Portland Downtown. “We are humbled by the generosity of the people and businesses who make up our incredible Downtown and we’re proud to be part of a community that gives back in such meaningful ways.”

Portland Downtown, a nonprofit 501c(4) organization, is in the business of maintaining a clean and safe downtown while building and promoting a vibrant business, residential and tourism destination.