First Posted: 12/14/2012

The United Way of Richmond County is partnering with Belk once again to help local charities this Christmas by gift wrapping presents.

The United Way and Belk are asking customers to bring in their Belk store purchases with receipt and have them wrapped. The gifts can be from any Belk store and purchased at any time. The cost to wrap a purchase on any other day is $5 per package but, from now until Dec. 24, Belk is allowing customers to pay a minimum of $3 for getting multiple packages wrapped. That money then goes to United Way, and its various charities.

For elite or premiere customers who normally get gifts wrapped for free, Belk is asking those customers to also make a donation. To become an elite or premiere customer, you must have a Belk credit card. Belk will accept larger donations and the customer will be able to pick the wrapping paper and ribbon used.

“This has been a collaboration for five years,” said Michelle Parrish, Executive Director with United Way. “We were invited to partner with Belk to help with gift wrap,” she said.

The first year Belk and United Way collaborated together, the gift wrapping was done during Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Since then, the fundraiser has changed to an annual Christmas event.

All proceeds will first go to the United Way Belk Campaign and then be divided among the various charities that United Way helps, which include Sandhills Children Center, Cordova School, Richmond County 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Leak Street Alumni, Back Pack Pals, Richmond Co. Aging Services, Samaritan Colony, Richmond County Literacy Council, Richmond Christian Counseling, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, New Horizons Life & Family Services, Salvation Army, Rockingham Rescue Squad and Our Daily Bread.

Parrish said Belk and the United Way have always been great partners. “Every year, Belk contributes $500 to the United Way,” said Michelle Hollifield, Belk’s store manager.

The gift wrapping hours for Dec. 15-22 are Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Dec. 23, the day before Christmas Eve, the hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Christmas Eve the hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

You must stay with your packages while they are being wrapped for liability purposes.

— Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at ledington@heartlandpublications.com.