Belk department store is holding its semi-annual charity sale on April 16 and donating the proceeds from tickets to the sale to area non-profits.

Schools and nonprofit organizations in Rockdale and Newton counties can participate by contacting the Conyers Belk store at (678) 314-3511 ext. 210. Currently, about 26 area nonprofits are participating. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS Section 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

The semi-annual Belk Charity Sale will be on Saturday, April 16, from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Beginning Friday, April 8, tickets may also be purchased at Belk stores with all revenues from in-store ticket sales equally divided among participating charities and schools in each local store. In 2010 Belk’s Charity Sale raised more than $9.5 million for hundreds of participating charitable organizations.

On the morning of the Charity Sale, the first 100 customers in each store will receive free Belk gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded company-wide. Also, participating charities and schools will be registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a company-wide drawing.

For more information, go to www.belk.com/charitysale.