By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster’s Belk store will be looking to give shoppers a deal while helping a plethora of Shelby County schools and non-profit organizations during its Fall Charity Sale Nov. 6.

The sale will take place at the store in the Colonial Promenade shopping center from 6-10 a.m. for those who purchase a $5 ticket either before the sale or at the event.

Because Belk usually does not open its doors before 10 a.m. on Saturdays, the store will hold a private sale for those who purchase a ticket for the event, said store Department Manager Kimberly O’Farril. During the sale, the store will offer 20-70 percent off items throughout the store.

The sale will offer savings on many rarely discounted designer brands, an additional 25 percent off on handbags, kids’ items and shoes, up to 60 percent off fine jewelry and 30 percent off dresses.

“Because the store doesn’t actually open from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, it will be a private sale,” O’Farril said. “That allows us to offer a big savings on some items we don’t usually discount.”

Everyone who attends the sale must purchase a $5 ticket, and all ticket proceeds will benefit the Alabaster Arts Council, the Alabama Wildlife Center, the Buck Creek Civitans, Hope for Gabe, the Girl Scouts of America, Family Connection, Pelham Church of God, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, People to People, Present Truth Church, New Rising Scholars, Daisy Troop No. 119, Living Word Church and the Master’s Commission.

Calera Elementary School, the Montevallo High School football team, Hope Christian School, the Maplesville High School cheerleaders, the Hope Christian School cheerleaders and Creek View Elementary School will also benefit from the donations.

Tickets are available at each of the schools and non-profits, at the store and at the doors the day of the event, O’Farril said.

Belk holds the Charity Sale every spring and fall, but with the holiday season looming, the fall sale usually draws a bigger crowd and raises more money for charity, she said.

“The schools and organizations can also volunteer at the store that day, which will help them raise more money above and beyond the ticket sales,” O’Farril said.

During the sale, customers will receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more. The first 100 customers in the store will receive a free Belk gift card, and three customers nationwide will receive a $1,000 gift card.

All participating schools and non-profit organizations will be entered to win one of three $1,000 donations.