Several times each year Belk Department Store has a charity sale, and they invite local charities to participate. Jumbled Dreams has been participating for around two years. Belk allows us to give each customer who contributes $5 to Jumbled Dreams, a $5 coupon to be used to shop at Belk on Charity Day. It’s a WIN-WIN situation as we gain $5 and the customer gets $5 off their first purchase. In addition, Belk offers many sales on Charity day that are deeply marked down discounts on that day only. Another way to help draw in customers to help the charities.
We have been very fortunate as several people have given $5 to Jumbled Dreams and then gave us a donation over and above the amount required to receive a $5 Belk coupon after they heard our story of Jumbled Dreams’ mission and all we are doing to accomplish it.
Recently when we went into the store to set-up our table to give out coupons in exchange for a donation one lady, who had supported us several times in the past, was there waiting for us. She said she knew we would be there, and she wanted to give her donation to help Jumbled Dreams. Another lady, Patsy Jackson, gave us a donation and then explained to us how she had given her whole live to help others and that she continues today at the age of 74. At one time she purchased Christmas gifts for over 200 children and food baskets for their families. She explained that she has had to cut the number down to 22, but that she still purchases gifts for children at Christmas.
There are many other stories that have warmed our hearts just as we have warmed the hearts of many customers as they listened to our story and gave us a contribution. We thank all of you who have supported us and we thank Belk for allowing us to participate in Charity Day.