Hurricane Sandy Rebuild For Army Veteran Kicks-Off Sears Sixth-Annual Heroes At Home Program

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sears has announced the launch of its sixth annual Heroes at Home spring renovation and fundraising campaign with Rebuilding Together to rebuild and revive the homes of veterans nationwide. Thanks to donations by SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members, customers and associates, the program has raised more than $17 million over the past six years, funding more than 1,300 home rebuilds for America's military heroes.

This spring, more than 75 military family homes will be rebuilt and to kick off the Heroes at Home campaign, the spotlight falls on a cluster of homes in Red Hook, N.Y. that Sears and Rebuilding Together committed to rebuild last fall in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The "superstorm" brought more than 10 feet of water into the neighborhood, destroying basements and first floor living areas of homeowners, including that of Vietnam War army veteran Michael Chirieleison, the commander of VFW Post 5195 in Red Hook. Chirieleison, born and raised in Brooklyn, received a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal for his dedicated service.

"Sears Heroes at Home program allows our associates, SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members and customers the opportunity to participate not only in the rebuilding of homes, but also in the transformation of lives," said Ron Boire, executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart Formats. "It is our collective honor to assist America's veterans and their families, who have given so much to protect our freedom, by providing the resources necessary so that they can improve their living conditions."

Now through July 27, Sears is urging SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS Members and customers nationwide to donate at their local Sears store or via a link online at sears.com/heroesathome. All funds raised go to Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership.

Other examples of the nationwide Heroes at Home projects that are being completed this spring include:

• Colorado Springs, Col. – Retrofitting the family home of an Iraq War Army veteran who lost a leg in an IED attack, making his bathroom accessible, installing a wheelchair ramp and stairway hand rails.
• Miami – Replacement of a leaking roof, major bathroom renovations and exterior improvements to help a Vietnam War Air Force veteran and his wife keep their home of more than 39 years.
• Sacramento, Calif. – Installing new doors, repairing drafty windows and overhauling a bathroom, to help a World War II Navy veteran provide better care for his ailing wife.
• Boston – Repairing a leaky roof and windows, sealing drafts and making security improvements to the home of a Korean War veteran so his wife can stay in the home after his recent move to a nursing home.
• Oakland, Calif. – A complete overhaul of the home of a former Tuskegee Airman, to include bathroom repairs, basement, painting, heater repair, and replacement of windows.

"Our partnership through Heroes at Home ensures our deserving veterans are coming home to a safe, healthy, and accessible living space," said John L. Fiegel, interim president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Our projects center on providing renovations for veterans unable to live in their current home conditions, due to injuries or obstacles that threaten their avenue to a safe and accessible home. We feel proud that each year we are able to help our American soldiers and veterans who dedicated their lives to serve our country."

In addition to working with Rebuilding Together to help veterans with home modifications, Sears has been recognized as one of the country's leading military employers. Sears currently employs more than 30,000 veterans, leading recruitment programs to place them in jobs within the organization as well as accommodations for their spouses who have relocated to be closer to them. The company also offers a military pay differential to its full-time associates who are reservists and serving on active duty, allowing each to continue participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs. Sears will also hold a comparable position for deployed employees for up to five years.

For more information about Heroes at Home, to make a donation and volunteer, visit sears.com/heroesathome. Follow Heroes at Home on SHOP YOUR WAY at ShopYourWay.com/heroesathome.

About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is a leading integrated retailer with more than 2,500 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and the home of SHOP YOUR WAY, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through ShopYourWay.com. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, fitness equipment and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, with a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, the Kardashian Kollection, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as Sofia by Sofia Vergara and The Country Living Home Collection. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 14 million service and installation calls made annually, and have a long-established commitment to those who serve in the military through initiatives like the Heroes at Home program. We have been named the 2011 Mobile Retailer of the Year, Recipient of the 2013 ENERGY STAR® "Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award" for Product Retailing and Energy Management and one of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads.  Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.  Twitter: @searsholdings || Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers

About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our nearly 200 local affiliates complete approximately 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trade professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit RebuildingTogether.org.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation