Sears Holdings Corporation Announces Initiative to Help Heroes at Home
Partnership with Rebuilding Together to improve lives of military families at home
Sears Holdings Corporation today announced the launch of Heroes at Home(SM), a charitable partnership with the nation's leading volunteer home rehabilitation organization, Rebuilding Together. Through Heroes at Home, Sears Holdings seeks to improve the lives of military families in need across America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes.
"We are proud to be partnering with Rebuilding Together on this important initiative," said Sears Holdings Corporation Chairman Edward S. Lampert. "Our company has a longstanding commitment to the heroic men and women in the military. The goal of this program is to ensure that their families, who are also making sacrifices for our country, are living in safe, warm and comfortable homes."
Sears and Kmart customers have the opportunity to join in the effort by making a donation in stores nationwide or online. Sears stores will begin collecting funds on Memorial Day weekend. Kmart stores will launch their fundraiser for Heroes at Home on June 17.
"Sears Holdings' support of Rebuilding Together shows the power of collaboration between corporations and non-profits. Families in need across the country will benefit from this relationship," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "The in-store campaign is a wonderful opportunity for the public to contribute directly to programs that assist those who need our help most."
Sears and Kmart customers are encouraged to make a donation at Sears stores from May 25 through July 8 or at Kmart stores from June 17 through July 8. Donations may also be made online at or .
Army Specialist Ryan C. Major, 21, of Silver Spring, Md., is the first beneficiary of Heroes at Home. Specialist Major is currently recovering from severe wounds he received when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol in Iraq. Heroes at Home will provide Specialist Major with a wheelchair accessible bedroom, bathroom and elevator. Volunteers from Sears and Kmart, along with Rebuilding Together's Montgomery County affiliate, will honor Specialist Major during an event on June 22.
Sears Holdings' ongoing commitment to assisting troops and their families includes several recruiting and employment programs. The company offers a military pay differential to employees serving in the armed forces. Additionally, reservists who are employed full-time are allowed to continue participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs. Heroes at Home is the first of three new programs that will be created as part of Sears Holdings' partnership with Rebuilding Together. The two other initiatives will focus on preserving and rehabilitating neighborhoods in some of the nation's largest cities and on helping needy individuals through home repairs.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's third largest broadline retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and approximately 3,800 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 Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at .
About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is America's largest volunteer-based home-repair organization bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need. The nonprofit has 230 affiliates, mobilizes approximately 270,000 volunteers and renovates more than 9,000 homes per year. Rebuilding Together is celebrating the rehabilitation of its 100,000th home this year. For details, see or call 1-800-REHAB-9.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: bstorch@searshc.com
SOURCE: Sears Holdings Corporation
CONTACT: Brenda Storch of Sears Holdings Corporation, +1-847-286-2897,
or cell, +1-224-735-9579; or Becky Carter of Rebuilding Together,
+1-202-518-3112
Web site: