MILWAUKEE, July 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:BONT) announces its back-to-school campaign in support of October's national anti-bullying awareness month by partnering with STOMP Out Bullying™. As part of the partnership, Bon-Ton and its nameplates (Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Parisian, and Younkers) will exclusively carry the 2012 limited edition STOMP Out Bullying Blue T-Shirts. The shirts raise awareness and funds for Blue Shirt Day™ – World Day of Bullying Prevention, both in stores and on Bonton.com. An annual initiative of STOMP Out Bullying, Blue Shirt Day™ - World Day of Bullying Prevention will be observed on October 1, 2012. Bon-Ton and STOMP Out Bullying™ hope children, teachers, parents and neighbors alike will wear their "Blue Shirts" making 10-1-12 the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13859
Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., said, "All of us at the Bon-Ton stores want to make a difference in our children's lives during this back-to-school season and what better way than to support 'STOMP Out Bullying,' a national organization focused on eradicating bullying in our schools and communities. Our hope is that parents, teachers and children will participate in the Annual Blue Shirt Day™ - World Day of Bullying Prevention and stand up to bullies everywhere."
The program will kick off in August through an interactive Facebook campaign and contest. This year, Wallflower Vintage, Bon-Ton junior's brand, designed the 2012 limited edition "Blue Shirt". The t-shirt will be available from August 1 through October 1 in stores and on BonTon.com for $12. With each purchase, $8 will be donated directly to STOMP Out Bullying™. The t-shirts have been created and printed in partnership with Sledge USA.
Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of STOMP Out Bullying™, stated, "Our gratitude goes out to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. and Sledge USA for their support of our work and the issue."
From August 1 through September 11, shoppers can text "friends" to 266866 to receive $20 off a $50 purchase. Bon-Ton will donate $1 to the cause for each text.
Bon-Ton has also initiated an interactive social media campaign, which gives its customers the opportunity to share their anti-bullying message with their friends via Facebook. To launch the program, Bon-Ton will host a back-to-school sweepstakes on their Facebook page from August 1 through September 7.. Bon-Ton will select seven winners, each of whom will receive a $250 shopping spree to the store as well as a $1,000 donation to their school of choice to support an anti-bullying awareness program.
Upon entering the back-to-school sweepstakes, fans will have the opportunity to generate their own personalized Facebook cover photo supporting anti-bullying. The application will allow users to choose from a variety of unique templates, quotes and fun shapes in a variety of sizes and colors. Bon-Ton has pledged to donate $1 for every banner that is created, up to $10,000. Facebook users are encouraged to tweet their anti-bullying banner by using the hash tag #STOMPOutBullyng.
About Bon-Ton:
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 272 department stores, which include 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves. Facebook.com/bonton.com, Twitter: @thebonton
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13858
About STOMP Out Bullying™
The leading national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens is a signature program of Love Our Children USA, the national nonprofit leader in fighting violence against children since 1999. Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying™ focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns. An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online.
