ROCKVILLE, MD — The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: BONT) is pleased to announce a record-breaking year for its semi-annual Goodwill® Sale, which collected 8.3 million pounds of donations between its spring and fall sales. Bon-Ton’s Goodwill Sale has been occurring since 1994, and the latest event took place from September 15 through September 29, 2010, bringing in 4.3 million pounds of clothing and textile donations. The items collected this year have an estimated value of approximately $30 to 34 million in revenue, which is used to fund Goodwill’s social services in communities nationwide.
“We are thankful to our customers and to the community for their support of our signature Goodwill Sale,” said Bud Bergren, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “The Goodwill Sale exemplifies our commitment to the communities in which we operate, while offering our customers the latest in fashion merchandise at outstanding values.”
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. — which operates stores under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Younkers and Parisian (Detroit, MI area) nameplates — received donations in its 277 stores. Goodwill sold the donated items in the communities where they were collected, and the revenues were used to support job training programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment.
“The revenues generated during the Goodwill Sale are helping people find jobs, build their careers and support their families,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We are grateful this partnership with Bon-Ton allows us to help our friends and neighbors experience the pride and independence that work brings.”
As a thank you to those who donated, Goodwill distributed more than 1.6 million Bon-Ton coupons, so those individuals could receive 15- to 20-percent off when purchasing merchandise in Bon-Ton stores. In addition, the Million Acts of Goodwill web site educated consumers about Goodwill’s mission of helping people find jobs and rewarded those who donated. Visitors to the site could play an instant win game; 40 instant winners received various prizes, and one grand-prize winner received a $1,000 Bon-Ton gift card.
