Holiday "Snow Buddies" from Younkers stores help raise money for local Boys & Girls Clubs

Whether sledding or skating, winter fun is always doubled when enjoying it with a friend. And Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., who operates Bergner’s, Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, Parisian and Younkers, wants to multiply the joy for thousands of children in need through sales of its 2009 holiday promotional items, “Snow Buddies.” Ten percent of their total sales will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its local Clubs like Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids.

In its seventh year, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. promotion has raised over $600,000 company-wide for local Boys & Girls Clubs through fundraising events. The Snow Buddies (pictured above) cost $4.99 and will be sold throughout November and December and will benefit over 150 Clubs. Grand Rapids residents can help by visiting their local Younkers located in the Rivertown Crossing Mall in Grandville.

The current holiday promotion is part of the Company’s ongoing charitable partnerships, both on national and local levels. "As a ‘hometown store,’ we’re committed to the communities where we live and work,” said Bud Bergren, President and CEO, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “By hosting special promotions such as our Snow Buddies, we and are our customers help deepen the positive impact the Boys & Girls Clubs has on so many children throughout the year.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 279 stores, which includes 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 and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, three stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. 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.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has been changing and saving young lives, providing hope and opportunity for kids who need them most. Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found all across the country and on U.S. military bases throughout the world. Clubs provide young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. In communities large and small, Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their life. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.