FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2009

CONTACT: Pat Boelter, 262-970-6047
       pboelter@goodwillsew.com

     
DOING GOOD HAS ITS REWARDS AT GOODWILL SALE 
 ~Seeking Million Acts Of Goodwill~

September 8, 2009 — This year, with more job seekers coming for help than ever before, there is an increase in demand. Goodwill needs more donations to fund the services it provides and The Goodwill Sale generates millions of pounds of clothing donations, which are then sold in more than 30 Goodwill stores in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago. The revenue from the donations goes toward job training programs, employment placement services and other community programs for people who need it most in local communities.

The semi-annual Goodwill Sale event, a popular retail trade-in promotion resulting from the successful collaboration between The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc, and Goodwill Industries is going on now through Tuesday, September 29. Customer’s who donate clean, gently-used clothing and home textiles at any of the Boston Store or Carson Pirie Scott Stores in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago will receive a coupon for every single item they donate. The coupon will be good at any Boston Store or Carson Pirie Scott Store for 20 percent off on apparel, shoes and accessories merchandise and 15 percent off on cosmetics, fragrances and home store merchandise.

Every customer who donates gently-used apparel at any Boston Store or Carson Pirie Scott Store during the Goodwill Sale event is contributing an “Act of Goodwill” to help others. Both Goodwill and Bon-Ton are seeking a million people to support this mission by donating and registering their commitment on www.millionactsofgoodwill.com. In exchange for their support, consumers will receive a 25 percent in-store coupon and a chance to instantly win a $100 shopping spree. Now through September 29th, registered consumers will also be entered into the grand-prize sweepstakes for a trip for two to Los Angeles and a tour of Universal Studios.

 “Bon-Ton Stores has a long history of supporting the communities in which we operate,” said Bud Bergren, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.  “The Goodwill Sale is not just a major sale event; it’s an event that has the power to transform lives.”

“By donating your gently used items at any Boston Store or Carson Pirie Scott Store as part of the Goodwill Sale, you’re doing your part to provide us with the necessary resources to fund our critical job training programs,” said John Miller, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries.  “These job training programs help families in your local communities achieve economic stability.  And, 92 cents out of every dollar we receive is reinvested in those programs and services.”

ABOUT BON-TON
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 280 stores, including 12 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, Younkers and 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 non-profit organizations. Visit www.bonton.com for more information.

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago is the largest among 183 Goodwill organizations in North America and 14 other countries. At the end of 2008, the organization served over 22,000 individuals and placed 1,971 men and women into competitive employment.

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