Special to The Post-Searchlight

Thousands of participating charities across Belk’s 16-state footprint benefit from Belk’s semi-annual charity sales and in its 125th anniversary year, Belk looks forward to continuing that tradition, according to a Belk press release.

Belk’s first charity sale of the year will take place Saturday, April 27, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in all Belk stores. The four-hour, in-store shopping event is an excellent fundraising tool for participating organizations that sell $5 tickets to their supporters. It’s also an opportunity for customers to give back to local nonprofits while taking advantage of special in-store discounts on purchases during the event.

On the morning of the Belk Charity Sale, the first 100 customers to arrive at each store will receive a Belk gift card ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded companywide. All customers will also receive $5 back on their first purchase. Also, participating charities and schools will be registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a companywide drawing.

Last year’s charity sale supported thousands of nonprofits such as the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Special Olympics, Teens Do Care, Literacy Council, United Way, Girl Talk International, North Carolina Zoo Society, American Red Cross, animal rescue organizations, local school athletic and scholastic organizations and numerous local churches.

“As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, Belk is especially proud of our ability to give back to the communities who have supported us so much over the years,” said Jessica Graham, Belk vice president of communications and community relations. “There is no limit to the number of organizations that can participate, the number of tickets they can sell, or the amount of money they can raise — so everyone benefits.”

In 2012, more than 8,000 nonprofit organizations raised more than $10 million through Belk’s Spring and Fall Charity Sales.

“Some of the participating nonprofits raise more funds through this sale than any other effort, so we hope all Belk customers will take part in giving back to their communities while they shop,” Graham said. “If you’re an organization that needs help raising money, we hope you’ll sign up to participate. If you’re a supporter of a participating organization, we hope you and your family and friends will buy tickets through the organizations or at Belk stores, and get ready for a great shopping day.”

In addition to buying tickets from participating nonprofits, beginning Friday, April 19, tickets also may be purchased at Belk stores, with all revenues from in-store ticket sales equally divided among participating charities and schools in each local store.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS Section 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

For more information about the Belk Spring Charity Sale, contact your local Belk store or visit belk.com/charitysale.