Sears Blue Tool Crew Announces "Do It Together" Program to Support and Recognize "Unsung Heroes" Who Help Communities Across America

LEXINGTON, Ky., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sears Blue Tool Crew announces the launch of the "Do It Together" (DIT) program, recognizing Unsung Heroes who use their tools and talents for the greater good of the community. DIT is the national expansion of the highly inspirational "Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference" Father's Day initiative that recognized dads across the country in 2010.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110331/CG74948)

Sears Blue Tool Crew's "Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference" program garnered so much interest in the first year that it warranted a larger-scale effort beyond only fathers. The first winner, Charles Muller, converted a run-down building into a center to feed children living below poverty levels in Albany, N.Y., and his service to the community exemplifies the true mission of DIT.

"The Sears Blue Tool Crew Do It Together movement is about commitment, community and creating positive change in these challenging times," said Bill Kiss, chief marketing officer of Tools and Hardware for Sears Holdings. "When we learned that the members of Phi Kappa Tau at the University of Kentucky were dedicated to community service – even when UK is in the biggest college basketball tournament of the year – it was a logical choice to reward them and an ideal way to launch the Do It Together program."

"Doing it Together" In Kentucky

The Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT team worked with the members of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity – Lexington Chapter to donate the tools and time to help refresh the local Hope Center by building picnic tables, installing shelves, painting and more. While members of the Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT Team and Phi Kappa Tau were out completing the Hope Center project, the rest of the Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT team were working with Back Construction, Inc. to remodel the Phi Kappa Tau basement into the ultimate sports viewing room as thanks for their role as unsung heroes.

"The Hope Center was honored that Sears Tools and Phi Kappa Tau chose to work with our organization," said Heather Mitchell, Hope Center director of volunteer relations. "We rely heavily on community support, and the time and tools that were donated by these groups made a huge impact on our center."

To help reveal the fraternity house and celebrate their contribution to the community, the Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT Team enlisted the help of national sports reporter Michelle Beadle. "I was thrilled to be a part of the launch of this great program with Sears, because it truly highlights the importance of community service and puts the spotlight on individuals and groups who dedicate their time and tools to help others in the community," said Beadle. "The members of Phi Kappa Tau make community service a big priority and it was great to be able to help reward them."

DIT 365

As part of the ongoing DIT program, the Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT Team is pledging 365,000 hours of "Do It Togetherness" in the form of volunteering or community service.

Each week, the Sears Blue Tool Crew DIT team will identify someone who exemplifies DIT by featuring one inspiring story on our Facebook page and rewarding that individual, group or organization with additional resources to keep that effort going. Stories about anything from helping a neighbor with a leaky faucet, to building a playground for local kids can be brought to the DIT team’s attention via Facebook and Twitter.

Celebrating Do It Together

The DIT fraternity makeover is the first installment in the Sears Blue Tool Crew’s DIT campaign.  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 www.facebook.com/SearsBlueToolCrew
• Follow the Sears Blue Tool Crew Do It Together Team on Twitter @BlueToolCrew www.twitter.com/BlueToolCrew
• Subscribe to the Sears Blue Tool Crew Do It Together Team YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/SearsBlueToolCrew

About Sears Blue Tool Crew's DIT Program

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.

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 www.searsholdings.com.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation