Join The Craftsman Brand To Voice Support For A House United

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the 2012 presidential election kicks into high gear during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the Craftsman brand is doing its part to build a "House United."   Along with non-profit Rebuilding Together, as well as Heroes at Home, NextGen Home built by Champion Home Builders and Bank of America, America's most trusted tool brand is asking Americans across the country and delegates at both conventions to work together in a community service program to build a home for one of our country's deserving military veterans.  By signing a petition at www.facebook.com/craftsman, people can join the Craftsman brand in encouraging their state delegates to participate. 

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As part of Craftsman House United, national TV personality and DIY expert Ty Pennington will lead the charge to build one half of a home during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL on Tuesday, August 28 and the other half of the home during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on Monday, September 3.  Delegates, elected officials and their staff, convention attendees and media in both locations are invited to literally swing a hammer, nail 2 x 4s and paint walls alongside Pennington during the events. 

"We did some pretty amazing things during my 10 years of traveling the U.S., renovating homes and 'moving that bus.' One thing I never had the chance to do was build parts of a home in two different cities, and then bring the two halves together," said Pennington. "I am so excited and proud to be a part of the Craftsman House United program and provide a military veteran in need with a new home."

"Although Americans may not always agree on political philosophies, Craftsman House United is a program that we can all stand behind," said Michael Castleman, president, Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, SVP Sears Holdings.  "This community service initiative honors one of our military heroes and participating is just one way Americans can express appreciation for our military's service to this country."

Locations and times of the builds are as follows:

Republican National Convention Craftsman House United Build
Encore Development, between Harrison St. (N), Central St. (W) and Governor St. (E)
Tuesday, August 28
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Democratic National Convention Craftsman House United Build
CarolinaFest 2012
510 S. College St., across from the convention center between Tryon and College Streets.
Monday, September 3
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

After the two halves of the home are built during the conventions, they will be united in Charlotte in the Belmont neighborhood during the month of October. In addition to donating the home to a deserving veteran in Charlotte, the Craftsman brand will also make a donation to the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa to help fund a program offering rental assistance to homeless veterans in the area. Tampa Housing Authority has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to operate this program.

To learn more about Craftsman House United and to sign the petition encouraging your delegates to get involvement, please visit www.facebook.com/craftsman. 

About Craftsman House United Suppliers

In-kind donations for the Craftsman House United home were made by the following companies: Alside, American Cabinetry Collection, Belmont Community Development Corporation, Cosentino, Daltile, Decore-ative, DECRA Roofing Systems, Encore Development, Kenmore, Kohler Co., Masco Contractor Services, Maze Nails, Weatherbeater, Owens Corning, ProVia, Inc., Sears Home Services, Seisco International Limited, Tampa Housing Authority and Wincore Windows.

About Craftsman

The Craftsman brand is America's most trusted tool brand.  For more than 85 years, the Craftsman brand has developed innovative tools and products, earning a reputation for unsurpassed quality and durability, trusted for generations. Craftsman offers a full range of hand and power tools that meet the needs of the DIY user to the demanding professional.  In addition, Craftsman also offers Lawn and Garden products and tool storage. 

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is a leading integrated retailer with over 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and the home of ShopYourWay, 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 15 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 2012 ENERGY STAR® "Corporate Commitment 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

SOURCE Sears Holdings