Area charities are invited to participate in the semiannual Belk Charity Sale.

The event, held each fall and spring, allows charities and other nonprofits to raise money by selling tickets to the sale, which is set for 6 to 10 a.m. April 16.

Tickets are currently available for charities to sell in advance. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each $5 ticket sold is retained by the charity, according to a news release from Belk.

There is no limit to the number of tickets charities can sell or to the amount they can raise.

James Foskett of the Belk in Cumming's Lakeland Plaza said about 31 area charities participated in the fall event.

Among them: Cumming Garden Club; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Bald Ridge Lodge; Forsyth County Certified Literate Community program; and various school groups.

"This is a great way for these groups to raise money for their various projects," Foskett said. "It's something Belk does to help out our local communities, and it's a great way for these charities to raise a lot of money."

He said about 25 organizations from Forsyth and nearby counties have signed up to participate in the April event.

In order to take part, organizations must have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.

Organizations can begin selling tickets soon as they sign up.

Beginning April 8, tickets for the sale can also be purchased at Belk.

All in-store sales will then be divided equally among the participating organizations.

On the morning of the sale, the first 100 customers will receive free Belk gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded companywide.

Participating charities and schools will also be registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a companywide drawing.

Across its 16 states, Belk raised more than $9.5 million for charities in 2010 through the sales events.