By MEGHANN ACKERMAN
mackerman@beaufortgazette.com
843-986-5537
Published Saturday, Nov 15, 2008 12:00 AM
Early Saturday morning, the few cars in the Cross Creek Centerparking lot were in front of Belk,where shoppers got access to a private sale while helping out local nonprofit organizations.
Shoppers who bought $5 tickets from any of the 36participating groups were allowed into Belk from 6 to 10 a.m. for special sales. All money brought in by the tickets, as well as raffles being held in the store, went to the nonprofits.
Ginger Olszewski, the manager of Belk, said this year they tried to reach as many nonprofit groups as they could find.
"Of all the charity sales that I've ever run, there's been more participation and enthusiasm in greater Beaufort than I've ever seen," she said.
Due to the slow economy, many nonprofits have seen donations and other funds shrink.
Keri Vignale,who was representing Beaufort County Adult Educationat the sale, said a lot of people told her they couldn't shop this year, but some still made donations.
"We got involved a little late, but everyone we talked to was receptive," she said.
Several of the nonprofit groups - like Beaufort County Adult Education and the Gullah Festival of South Carolina - were involved in the Belk charity sale for the first time this year.
"Times are hard and we're trying to raise funds," said Charlotte Brown,who was manning the Gullah Festival table inside the store.
Other groups were old hands at working the sale.
"We do it every year," said Robert Cullen, who was selling tickets for CODA at the store's door. "It's not hard. People are willing givers."
Debbie Wiggins,who was selling raffle tickets for a quilt to benefit Friends of Carolina Hospice,said the popularity of the sale helps bring in donations.
"Everybody knows about the charity sale Belk holds every year," she said.
In the past, Olszewski said she has seen groups raise some serious cash.
"There's usually a very big turn out," she said. "At the store I had in Florida, the Early Learning Coalition made $2,500."