America Has Voted! The Sears Blue Tool Crew and Ty Pennington Announce Second Annual 'Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference' Grand Prize Winner

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- America has chosen a winner! Bill Kilgallin of Falls Church, Va., is the Second Annual "Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference" Contest grand prize winner. Mr. Kilgallin will receive $30,000 worth of services and assistance from Sears to advance his work in the community. After the Sears Blue Tool Crew and Ty Pennington narrowed the entry field to 10 deserving finalists, America selected the grand prize winner. While all of the finalists are very deserving of the grand prize, Kilgallin received the most votes from the more than 11,000 submitted.

"What really stands out about Bill is how his community service involves his son. Each year Bill organizes a father-son service project for a food kitchen and homeless shelter in Washington," said Ty Pennington, Sears spokesman. "This contest has been about paying tribute to those dads who serve as an inspiration to their community, and Bill makes a difference in many lives and he deserves the recognition and prize from Sears that comes with it. Bill's the kind of guy that'll put it right back into the community and that is the awesome cycle of volunteerism this contest promotes. I'm glad to be working with Sears to make it happen."

"I am excited to have been selected as the winner, and am touched by the overwhelming support and votes I received from friends, family and members of my community. Eagles fly high!" said Kilgallin, referring to the great support he received from the Gonzaga community. "I want to thank my son, Billy, who nominated me and made this happen for the McKenna Center. I am very grateful to Sears for recognizing these dads and the causes they represent in this contest. They really make a difference in the lives of others. I am ready to begin providing the McKenna Center with the upgrades its needs to continue serving the homeless in Washington."

Kilgallin will be using the $30,000 grand prize from the Sears Blue Tool Crew to begin making much needed repairs to the McKenna Center. The Center, as well as serving as a food kitchen, is the last remaining drop-in center for the homeless in Washington. In addition to meals, the Center serves as a hypothermia shelter during the winter months, offers drug and alcohol counseling, and provides shower facilities and laundry services. Kilgallin's story, along with the story of all 10 finalists, can be viewed at www.facebook.com/searsbluetoolcrew.

"The Sears Blue Tool Crew aims to help others achieve their project goals through our Do It Together campaign, and our Dads Making a Difference contest is merely an extension of this. We are glad to present Bill with the grand prize of tools and services from America's trusted tool advisors – the Sears Blue Tool Crew, to enable him to complete the project of his dreams where he lives," said Bill Kiss, chief marketing officer, Tools and Hardware for Sears Holdings. "We are confident that America selected a very deserving winner, and that all of our finalists will continue to make an impact in their communities."  

Shop Your Way Rewards

This year, voters were able to enter for a chance to win one million Shop Your Way Rewards points. Three winners were selected to receive the points. Shop Your Way Rewards is a free program that rewards loyal customers for shopping at Sears, Kmart, Lands' End and The Great Indoors. As a member, you earn points buying the things you want and need. Then you can redeem those points at checkout when you shop online or in-store. Members are rewarded with custom offers throughout the year based on their shopping experience. Plus, members enjoy sale notifications and a dedicated customer service call center. For more information on the benefits and rules of the Shop Your Way Rewards program, visit www.shopyourwayrewards.com.  

About Do It Together

The Sears Blue Tool Crew, America's trusted tool advisors, recognizes that "Do It Yourself" has evolved into "Do It Together." Projects big and small are all accomplished the right way by working together as a team for the common good. Rebuilding Together, Sears Holdings' Heroes at Home partner will be assisting with the Do It Together community service efforts. To be continually updated with information on upcoming programs and projects, the latest news, deals and contests, including great offers from the Sears Blue Tool Crew, such as the Craftsman Club/Shop Your Way Rewards program, demos and testimonials:

• Like the Sears Blue Tool Crew Facebook page via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SearsBlueToolCrew

• Follow the Sears Blue Tool Crew Do It Together Team on Twitter @BlueToolCrew http://www.twitter.com/BlueToolCrew

• Subscribe to the Sears Blue Tool Crew Do It Together Team YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/SearsBlueToolCrew

About the Sears Blue Tool Crew Unsung Heroes: Dads Making A Difference Contest

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years or older who did not purchase any equipment for purposes of entering the Contest. Nominate a Dad Before: 6/10/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize descriptions, visit www.facebook.com/SearsBlueToolCrew.  Void where prohibited.

About the Sears Blue Tool Crew Shop Your Way Rewards Contest

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS AND OLDER.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 7/3/11. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit www.facebook.com/SearsBlueToolCrew.  Sponsor: Sears Holdings Management Corporation, 333 Beverly Road, D2-273A, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

About Sears Heroes at Home

The Heroes at Home program has provided the means for hundreds of military families to shop for in-demand items and necessities during the holidays through its Wish Registry, and the program will continue to provide support to service members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations, including Rebuilding Together and the USO. The program has already helped hundreds of deserving military families by raising more than $21 million to support the rebuilding of more than 1,000 homes by the end of 2011

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 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, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. 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 by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 11 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' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Sears Blue Tool Crew