The money has been counted and the United Way, Shalom Counselling and Ronald McDonald House are the three local charities splitting $22,500 generated from Parkland Mall’s Mosaics of Hope fundraiser.

Each charity started with a black and white mural, made up of 750 tiles. Members of the public bought coloured ones for five dollars each, and filled out the murals, recreating a photograph submitted by the charity.

Parkland Mall matched the funds raised from tile sales, which were sold out, leaving each charity with $7,500.

It’s the seventh year of the fundraiser.

Charities apply in order to participate and Parkland Mall’s marketing director Melody McKnight said it’s always a tough choice making selections.

“We try to rotate among groups in the community, pick the ones that we think either need the help the most or are going to connect with the public the best while they’re at the mall,” McKnight said.

“While they’re here, they connect with a lot of people who need their services.”

It’s a good chance for charities to reach out; sometimes they find new donors and sponsors, she added.