Ep. 21: Celebrating Community

So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

In this episode, we explore the Mall’s commitment to supporting its community through nonprofit events, initiatives, and partnerships. We visit with Sara Durhman, Director of Community Relations, who shares her experience organizing and hosting events that benefit the Bloomington Community. This includes planning and hosting charity events and world-record breaking spectaculars.

Sara shares the story of her very first day at the Mall on the job. She arrived early in the morning to help host an event with more than ten thousand participants, which ended with a touching, tear-filled tribute to survivors of breast cancer, and those who we have lost. She goes on to share why she sees her role, and the Mall’s commitment to community, as important.

We also hear from Erik Anderson, a remarkable athlete who has overcome adversity to become a champion in the Special Olympics. Erik shares his inspiring journey, including the challenges he has faced and the triumphs he has achieved, and how the support of his community has been instrumental in his success. Together, Erik and Sara, talk about the excitement surrounding the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games coming to Minnesota.

Listeners will gain insights into the ways in which businesses can support the community, the inspiring stories of individuals who continue to achieve greatness, and why corporate/nonprofit partnerships are critical to the health and well-being of everyone.

Guests: Sara Durhman, Mall of America; Erik Anderson, Special Olympics
Host: Daniel Jasper

Presented by the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.