Belk unveils first-ever Charity Bear

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Nov 15, 2014, 12:00 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A nine-year-old from North Carolina won the 2014 Belkie Bear design contest held at Belk's Santafest event last year. The bear was unveiled at Belk's SantaFest today. Olivia's design was selected from more than 1,000 applicants.

The first-ever Belkie Charity Bear, designed by a nine-year-old from North Carolina, was unveiled today at Belk's SantaFest. Photo provided by Belk.

The Belkie Charity Bear design was selected from more than 1,000 applicants. Five dollars from the sale of each bear will benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Photo provided by Belk.

As the grand prize winner of last year's contest, Olivia's design was used in creating a new Belkie Charity Bear, with $5 of the proceeds from the sale of the bear going to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This charity was chosen by the winner's response to the contest question, "I want my Belkie Bear to help…"

Based on the judges' selection, Olivia received 10 custom Belkie Charity Bears created based on her design, along with a $500 Belk shopping spree. A Belkie Bear and $500 Belk shopping spree were also awarded to finalist winners in each of the three age categories: 4 – 6; 7 – 9 and 10 – 11.

The new 2014 Charity Bear will be available in most stores and online at www.belk.com. Kids are able to enter the contest to design the 2015 Belkie Charity Bear today at SantaFest from noon to 3 p.m. in all Belk stores.

About Belk, Inc.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation's largest family owned and operated department store company with 299 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states and a growing digital presence. Its belk.com website offers a wide assortment of national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home. Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., the company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership and has been committed to community involvement since its inception. In the fiscal year ended Feb. 1, 2014, the company and its associates, customers and vendors donated more than $20.9 million to communities within Belk market areas.

Belk offers many ways to connect via digital and social media, including Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Google Plus and Belk Blog, and provides exclusive offers, fashion updates, sales notifications and coupons via email or mobile phone text messages. Customers can also download the latest Belk mobile apps for the iPad, iPhone or Android.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141111/157998
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141111/157999
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130527/CL21077LOGO

SOURCE Belk, Inc.