The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee and York, Pa., raised more than $436,000 through its partnership with Boy & Girls Clubs of America and its holiday campaign that ran from the end of November through Christmas Eve.
The “Give the Gift of a Great Future” Campaign invited customers to purchase a plush teddy bear wearing a holiday scarf for $7 or make a $3 donation at any of The Bon-Ton Stores retail locations, including Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Younkers and online. The Bon-Ton Stores also generated campaign dollars through social media, donating $1 to the cause every time a Facebook fan shared one of the company’s virtual holiday greeting cards with fellow Facebook users.
All campaign proceeds directly benefitted Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“Bon-Ton is thrilled to donate over $436,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs from our holiday promotion to support this important community-based resource for the development of our youth,” said Brendan Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores. “Together, we are creating great futures for our children.”
In addition to its financial donation to the nonprofit, The Bon-Ton Stores provided seasonal employment opportunities to more than 200 kids who benefit from the organization’s programs. Throughout the holidays, these youth members worked in company stores, developing professional skills in preparation for their future career paths. Youth employees represented 17 Boys & Girls Clubs in 11 states, including Wisconsin.
“Throughout our decade-long partnership with Bon-Ton, they have provided support that helps (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) reach more than 4,000 clubs serving nearly four million kids,” said Jim Clark, president and chief executive officer of the national nonprofit. “We are grateful for their ongoing fundraising efforts and this holiday season’s innovative job placement program that continue to make a real difference in the lives of many of America’s young people.”
Boys & Girls Clubs’ Greater Milwaukee branch operates 38 sites in the region with safe after-school and summer programming related to character and leadership development, education, health, the arts, sports, and the environment.