CONTACT:
Sears Public Relations And Communications
(847) 286-8371
Sears Steps Up Again to Help More Than 20,000 Military Families Through Its Heroes at Home Wish Registry
Retailer raises nearly $7 million in gift card donations during the 2009
holiday season as a way to say 'thank you' to those who have sacrificed for
our country
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 2009 holiday
season, Sears called on Americans to help make Christmas special for
thousands of active-duty military men and women and their families by
contributing to the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry(TM). Thanks to the
generosity from across the country, Sears was able to brighten the holidays
for deserving soldiers and their families by raising nearly $7 million in
gift card donations. As a result, Sears provided $322.63 in gift cards to
more than 20,000 military families this holiday season.
Military families were given the means to purchase everything from warm
clothes and new toys for their children to a Christmas tree and other
holiday decorations. At a time when some families struggle and are
separated with parents and spouses deployed overseas, Sears, with the help
of Americans nationwide, stepped up to make the holidays joyous at a time
when it was needed most.
Those who have benefited from the Heroes at Home Wish Registry shared
their heartfelt thanks and appreciation at http://www.sears.com/heroesathome:
"Tears are streaming down my face as I write my message. Your generous
donations have made such a huge difference in so many lives. As military
spouses, we tend to feel neglected and forgotten during the holidays. Thank
you so much for your appreciation."
"Thank you to everyone who participated and donated last year. My four
kids would not have had decorations on a tree if it wasn't for your
kindness. Thank you so much - my husband appreciates you thinking of him
and his military family."
"When I came home from Iraq last year, my now wife and I decided to get
married. By Christmas, she had been unemployed for four months and I was on
my way out of the service. We had three children to buy Christmas gifts for
and thankfully I had my Heroes at Home card - that was the only way we had
to buy them gifts. It was definitely a blessing for us in a time of need."
"We are so thankful to everyone - especially our customers - who
contributed to this year's Heroes at Home Wish Registry allowing us to
provide support to thousands of military families, many of whom spent
Christmas with a family member overseas," said Richard Gerstein, senior
vice president, marketing for Sears Holdings. "While the holidays can be
particularly tough for military families, the hardships don't stop there,
which is why Sears is committed to supporting the men and women of our
military who sacrifice so much for all of us - all year long. We look
forward to helping even more military families in 2010."
During the holiday season, Sears provided three disbursements in the
form of e-Gift Cards to the military families registered in the Heroes at
Home Wish Registry. The third and final e-Gift Card, in the amount of
$122.63, was distributed in early January to help them start the New Year
off right.
The Sears Heroes at Home program continues to have a positive impact on
the lives of military families and others. The Heroes at Home Wish
Registry, is one of Sears Holdings' multiple programs supporting the
military and their families. To learn more about Heroes at Home, visit
http://www.sears.com/heroesathome.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline
retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in
the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance
retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics
and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include
Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including
such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well
as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living
collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart. We are the
nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million
service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through
its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.
For more information, visit Sears Holdings' Web site at
http://www.searsholdings.com.
SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation
Web site: http://www.searsholdings.com
Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/923204.html
CONTACT: Tom Aiello of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-7387,
tom.aiello@searshc.com; or Carolyn Goldberg of Euro RSCG
Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6947, carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com, for
Sears
