Published: March 07, 2006 10:08 pm      

Belk schedules Charity Days event

Belk customers will receive a merchandise discount in return for a $5 donation to their favorite participating local charity or non-profit organization during the Belk Charity Days event March 31 and April 1 at all Belk locations, including the store at Crossroads Mall.

“Belk stores have a long-standing tradition of community involvement and supporting deserving charitable and non-profit organizations in the markets they serve,” said Leigh Ann Lyle, Belk special events coordinator. “We believe in being an active and caring corporate citizen in our home towns and in giving back to the communities that make our success possible. At Belk, sharing never goes out of style.”

A number of non-profit community groups will participate and sell tickets in advance of the shopping event, according to store officials. Tickets will also be sold in the stores during the two-day event, Lyle said.

“Ticket purchasers will receive a two-day shopping pass giving them a 20 percent discount on regular and sale items in all areas of the store except the home department, where a 10 percent discount will apply,” she explained.

Lyle said that each participating charitable/non-profit organization will receive the entire $5 for each ticket sold in advance of the event, and donations collected in the store during the event will be divided and distributed equally among the organizations that are present at the event. Belk provides all tickets and promotional flyers to the participating groups and no cost to them, she said.

“In addition, customers who shop during Charity Days will receive a $10 gift voucher for every $50 in purchases from the cosmetics department during the event,” Lyle added.

She said the voucher can be redeemed April 2-4 in any merchandise department except cosmetics and fragrances.

“Belk shoppers can also participate in a register-to-win drawing for a 42-inch plasma screen television during the Charity Days event,” she said.

The Charity Days discount offer will exclude a limited number of areas and brands, including cosmetics and fragrances; St. John, Lilly Pulitizer, Tommy Bahama, Ferragamo, Coach, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Stuart Weitzman, Donald Pliner, 7 For All Mankind. Also excluded are Red Dot, Earlybirds, Night Owls, Doorbusters, Bonus Buys, non-merchandise departments (e.g. hair salons), fine jewelry, maternity, lease departments and Belk gift cards, Lyle said.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk Inc. is the nation’s largest privately owned department store company with 276 stores located in 15 states in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. This includes 39 Proffitt’s/Belk and McRae’s/Belk stores, which will celebrate their grand opening as Belk today. Belk was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and continues to operate under the third generation of Belk family leadership.

— Pace is The Register-Herald’s business editor.

E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com