Charlotte-based Belk, Inc., the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company, has partnered with United Way of Central Carolinas for its “GET COOL 4 SCHOOL” campaign. Belk will donate more than 3,300 new school uniforms to students in need in three counties – Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union. Events will be held in all three counties.
“This was a natural fit for Belk,” said Bill Roberts, northern division chair of Belk. “As one of United Way’s top 10 corporate supporters, we’re committed to United Way and the people they help in our hometown. We also have a strong interest in education and the academic success of students in our communities. When we heard about the number of children who can’t afford uniforms and need assistance, we were quick to offer our full backing.”
The partnership, which began last year in five schools in Mecklenburg County, has become a multi-year initiative. This year’s higher-profile push is addressing the needs in several of United Way’s five-county footprint and has expanded the contribution from 2,000 uniforms last year to more than 3,300 this year. The total retail value of the donated uniforms is $175,000.
Uniform announcement events will be held in the following locations:
• Cabarrus County/Kannapolis City – Donation of 825 Uniforms
Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 9:00 a.m. Cannon Memorial YMCA │ 101 YMCA Drive │ Kannapolis, N.C. 28081 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: Academic Learning Center and Cannon Memorial YMCA Kannapolis City Schools Receiving Uniforms: Fred L. Wilson Elementary, Shady Brook Elementary, Jackson Park Elementary, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary • Mecklenburg County – Donation of 2,025 Uniforms
Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 11:00 a.m Winterfield Elementary │3100 Winterfield Place│Charlotte, N.C. 28205 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: A Child’s Place and Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Receiving Uniforms: Ashley Park Academy, Bruns Academy, Walter G. Byers Academy, Druid Hills Academy, Hidden Valley Elementary, Montclaire Elementary, Nathaniel Alexander Elementary, Sedgefield Elementary, Thomasboro Academy, and Winterfield Elementary • Union County – Day of Caring and Donation of 529 Uniforms
Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 a.m. Wingate University | 220 North Camden Road | Wingate, N.C. 28174 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: YWCA and Boys and Girls Club Union County Schools Receiving Uniforms: Rock Rest Elementary, Walter Bickett Elementary, East Elementary, Benton Heights Elementary and others “We are very appreciative of Belk’s contribution to help meet this great need for these students in our communities,” said Jane McIntyre, executive director of United Way of Central Carolinas. “We’re grateful for Belk’s continued partnership and support of United Way throughout the years. The uniforms will be used by United Way funded agencies such as A Child’s Place, Communities in Schools, YMCA , YWCA, the Academic Learning Center and Boys and Girls Clubs, to provide a great start to the school year for students in need. ” About Belk, Inc. Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company with 303 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Its belk.com Web site offers a wide assortment of 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. To connect with Belk via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog, mobile phone text messages or by email, go to: Belk Get Connected. About United Way of Central Carolinas
United Way of Central Carolinas focuses on three vital areas: Children & Youth; Housing & Stability; and Health & Mental Health. Through its 90 partner health and human services agencies, United Way creates long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems, working in Anson, Cabarrus, Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Mooresville/Lake Norman and Union. To get help, or learn how you can help, call United Way’s 211 hotline, or for more details, please visit www.uwcentralcarolinas.org. 
Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 9:00 a.m. Cannon Memorial YMCA │ 101 YMCA Drive │ Kannapolis, N.C. 28081 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: Academic Learning Center and Cannon Memorial YMCA Kannapolis City Schools Receiving Uniforms: Fred L. Wilson Elementary, Shady Brook Elementary, Jackson Park Elementary, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary • Mecklenburg County – Donation of 2,025 Uniforms
Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 11:00 a.m Winterfield Elementary │3100 Winterfield Place│Charlotte, N.C. 28205 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: A Child’s Place and Communities in Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Receiving Uniforms: Ashley Park Academy, Bruns Academy, Walter G. Byers Academy, Druid Hills Academy, Hidden Valley Elementary, Montclaire Elementary, Nathaniel Alexander Elementary, Sedgefield Elementary, Thomasboro Academy, and Winterfield Elementary • Union County – Day of Caring and Donation of 529 Uniforms
Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 a.m. Wingate University | 220 North Camden Road | Wingate, N.C. 28174 Partner United Way Funded Agencies: YWCA and Boys and Girls Club Union County Schools Receiving Uniforms: Rock Rest Elementary, Walter Bickett Elementary, East Elementary, Benton Heights Elementary and others “We are very appreciative of Belk’s contribution to help meet this great need for these students in our communities,” said Jane McIntyre, executive director of United Way of Central Carolinas. “We’re grateful for Belk’s continued partnership and support of United Way throughout the years. The uniforms will be used by United Way funded agencies such as A Child’s Place, Communities in Schools, YMCA , YWCA, the Academic Learning Center and Boys and Girls Clubs, to provide a great start to the school year for students in need. ” About Belk, Inc. Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation’s largest privately owned mainline department store company with 303 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. The company was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., and is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Its belk.com Web site offers a wide assortment of 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. To connect with Belk via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog, mobile phone text messages or by email, go to: Belk Get Connected. About United Way of Central Carolinas
United Way of Central Carolinas focuses on three vital areas: Children & Youth; Housing & Stability; and Health & Mental Health. Through its 90 partner health and human services agencies, United Way creates long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems, working in Anson, Cabarrus, Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Mooresville/Lake Norman and Union. To get help, or learn how you can help, call United Way’s 211 hotline, or for more details, please visit www.uwcentralcarolinas.org.
