The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:BONT), parent company of Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers department stores, raised over $436,000 through its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Club alum Mario Lopez. The Give the Gift of a Great Future campaign ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24.

Mario Lopez, Alumni Ambassador for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, says, "As a former Club kid, I know Clubs are safe places where children can grow, learn and develop. Donors and corporate partners like Bon-Ton help impact Club youth in communities across the country every day."

Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. said, "Bon-Ton is thrilled to donate over $436,000 to Boy & Girls Clubs from our holiday promotion to support this important community-based resource for the development of our youth. Together, we are creating great futures for our children."

Customers were given the opportunity to purchase an exclusive plush teddy bear dressed in a holiday scarf for $7 or make a $3 donation at any of Bon-Ton's stores, including Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers, and online, with 100 percent of the net proceeds donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. On Facebook, fans spread the cheer by sharing a variety of virtual holiday greeting cards with friends and family. Bon-Ton donated $1 to BGCA for every card shared.

Additionally, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. initiated a job placement program that provided jobs in our stores to more than 200 Club youth during the holiday season. The program supported youth from 17 different Clubs in eleven states consisting of Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The job placement program helps youth develop professional skills and ready themselves for future careers.

Jim Clark, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America said, "Throughout our decade-long partnership with Bon-Ton, they have provided support that helps BGCA reach more than 4,000 Clubs serving nearly 4 million kids. We are grateful for their ongoing fundraising efforts and this holiday season's innovative job placement program that continue to make a real difference in the lives of so many of America's young people."

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 273 department stores, which includes 10 furniture galleries, in 25 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. 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. For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.bonton.com. Learn more at Facebook.com/BonTon, Instagram.com/BonTonStyle and Twitter.com/BonTon

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and a healthy lifestyle. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Mary Kerr, Vice President, Investor & Public Relations, (717) 751-3071
mkerr@bonton.com