Bon-Ton's 2010 Goodwill® Sale Events Collected Record 8.3 Million Pounds of Clothing and Textiles

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Nov 09, 2010, 12:11 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

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"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.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social service enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,500 retail stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

Follow Goodwill on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GoodwillIntl

ABOUT THE BON-TON STORES, INC.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 277 stores, including 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates, and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Goodwill Sale event is just one of the ongoing charitable partnerships that the company has developed on a local level. Look for more exciting cause-marketing promotions as Bon-Ton continues to be an active and positive participant in the communities that it serves. In addition to offering customers a great shopping experience, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. also supports its communities by promoting and raising money and awareness for local nonprofit organizations. Through these partnerships, Bon-Ton touches customers in all of its communities as well as their friends and family members who benefit from these organizations. Visit www.bonton.com for more information.

Follow The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thebonton

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International