Belk invites schools and other nonprofit organizations in the company's 16-state market area to participate in its semi-annual Belk Charity Sale from 6-10 a.m. April 21.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event serves as a fundraising tool for participating organizations, allowing shoppers to support local charities while taking advantage of special discounts.

Already, 44 local nonprofits have signed up to participate at the Lakeshore Mall store, 150 Pearl Nix Parkway in Gainesville.

Nonprofits interested in participating should contact Linda Millar, Belk regional administrative assistant, at 770-532-7021, ext. 208.

Belk Charity Sale tickets are available to participating nonprofit organizations for sale in advance.
All of the proceeds from each $5 ticket sold will be retained by the charity.

There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell, or to the amount of money they can raise. Belk will provide tickets and informational materials at no cost to each participating organization.

Beginning April 13, tickets also may be purchased at Belk stores with all revenues from in-store ticket sales divided equally among participating charities and schools at the local store level.

Last year's Charity Sale raised more than $10 million for hundreds of participating charitable organizations throughout the South.

On the morning of the sale, the first 100 customers to arrive will receive a Belk gift card.

The cards will range in value from $5 to $100, and there's a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards.

Also, participating charities and schools will be registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a companywide drawing.

In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have a 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

For more information, visit www.belk.com.