Kmart Is Warming Up the Holiday Season with Increased Donations
Fundraising Initiatives for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital庐 Hitting and Surpassing Goals
Kmart is pleased to announce an increase in its fundraising efforts for the fifth annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving庐 campaign this holiday season. To date, Kmart has raised more than $3 million and is poised to raise more than $4 million this year to become one of the highest revenue generating partners for the campaign which asks consumers to "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not."
"The children of St. Jude, their Moms and Dads and I are thrilled to welcome back Kmart to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign," said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude. "Kmart's dedication to this holiday campaign helps ensure that St. Jude can continue the lifesaving research and care that has brought hope to so many families."
To recognize this commitment and effort, on Dec. 9, Donald J. Germano, SVP and GM, Kmart, and Marlo Thomas joined St. Jude patients to ring the opening bell for NASDAQ, and on Dec. 10, Kmart donated thousands of toys to Good Morning America who will, in turn, donate them to St. Jude. Kmart continues to ask customers to make contributions to the Thanks and Giving campaign and encourages customers to participate by:
- Shopping in Kmart where you will see the St. Jude Thanks and Giving logo - a magnifying glass set against a bright green background, which symbolizes the ongoing search for cures at St. Jude. Visit www.stjude.org for a list of participating partners. - Adding a donation at the check-out counter. - Purchasing specialty merchandise at participating partners to benefit St. Jude. - Donating online at www.stjude.org or by calling 1-800-4STJUDE. You can also make a donation in memory or honor of a loved one and send a special Thanks and Giving holiday tribute card.
"Kmart has always been committed to supporting children and their health, and in 2006 we decided to take that dedication one step further by partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The past three years have been a tremendous success, raising more than $8 million, and we look forward to making 2008 a record-breaking year," said Mark Snyder, Kmart's chief marketing officer. "We appreciate all that our customers and associates have done to support this campaign and recognize that this holiday season is an especially difficult one and are thankful for everyone's generosity during this time."
About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
About St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.
About Thanks and Giving
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving national campaign is an unprecedented union of celebrities, media, retail and corporate partners that ask consumers to "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not." The Thanks and Giving initiative was created in 2004 by Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Funds raised by the campaign support the lifesaving work of St. Jude - to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude impacts the lives of children in communities across the country. Consumers are asked to shop at companies where the St. Jude green magnifying glass logo is displayed; donate online at www.stjude.org, where a list of fund-raising partners is available, or call 1-800-4STJUDE.
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SOURCE: Kmart
CONTACT: Carolyn Goldberg, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6947,
carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com; or Shannelle Armstrong, Sears Holdings, +1-847-
286-0715, sarms15@searshc.com
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