Big Lots Announces Lots2Give Video Contest Winners

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-seven schools across the country will start the school year with extra cash for class as Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) announced today the winners of the 2012 Lots2Give video contest. One hundred seventy-nine schools competed for a share of $120,000 in cash prizes, with the $20,000 grand prize going to Felton Elementary School in Lennox, California.

Big Lots asked participating schools to submit a video and essay explaining why their school is in need of financial support. From June 11 through July 8, the public voted for their favorite video at www.biglots.com/lots2give. More than 413,000 votes were cast to determine the 37 winners, which included one $20,000 grand prize, two $10,000 first place prizes, four $5,000 second place prizes, and thirty $2,000 third place prizes.

In addition to the video contest, Big Lots hosted an in-store donation program to help the 250 schools participating in the Lots2Give program. From April 30 through July 8, Big Lots customers were invited to make $1 or $5 donations at participating stores with 100% of donations going to participating schools. This initiative raised over $98,000.

"Big Lots is dedicated to programs that give back to the communities we serve, and the Lots2Give program allows us to help schools in need of financial support," said Steve Fishman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We invited our customers to support an important cause, and it was inspiring to see the overwhelming response the program received."

Fishman and Senior Vice President of Marketing Rob Claxton will present Felton Elementary School with the $20,000 grand prize on Friday, August 10 at the Big Lots store located in Los Angeles, Calif. Additionally, 36 schools will each receive their prize amounts of $10,000, $5,000 or $2,000 as first, second or third place prize winners in separate ceremonies in their communities.

In conjunction with the Lots2Give program, Big Lots stores across the country will acknowledge the outstanding efforts of educators by hosting an in-store Teacher Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 11. All educators with a valid school identification card will receive 10% off their entire purchase that day. View all 37 winning videos at www.biglots.com/lots2give beginning Saturday, August 11.

About Big Lots, Inc.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) is a Fortune 500 company with more than 1,450 stores in 48 states and over 80 Liquidation World and LW stores in Canada. As North America's largest broadline closeout retailer, Big Lots offers consumers a wide range of bargain-priced merchandise, including brand-name closeouts, seasonal products, consumables, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts. The Company also sells merchandise through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, WISCONSIN TOY, and www.biglotswholesale.com

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.