Sears Helps Make the New Year Brighter for More Than 21,000 Military Families

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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday, Sears brought joy to more than 21,000 active-duty military members and their families by providing gift cards to servicemen and women who registered for the Heroes at Home Wish Registry^™. On Jan. 11, Sears made its final disbursement of $51.25 in gift cards to help military families start the New Year with warm clothes, home essentials and other necessary items.

The annual Heroes at Home Wish Registry gives back to the men and women who serve our country every day and allows those who are deployed to send their love home for the holidays. Now in its third year, the Wish Registry has raised more than $16.2 million in gift card donations and helped more than 51,000 military heroes have happier holidays.

"Sears values the support that our military provides and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. The efforts made by the thousands of servicemen and women who were away from their families during the holiday season are truly heroic," said David Friedman, SVP and president of Marketing, Sears Holdings. "Although the holiday season is over, we urge Americans to start the New Year with a giving spirit by continuing to help our soldiers year round through the Heroes at Home program."

Donations to the Heroes at Home Wish Registry are not tax deductible and are used to purchase Sears gift cards that are equally distributed to all registered families. Americans can continue to learn about ways to support the military throughout the year by visiting Sears.com/heroesathome.

The Heroes at Home Wish Registry demonstrates Sears' long-standing commitment to the military, especially during the holiday season. For many, the wishes fulfilled in years past have been simple and practical, including everything from warm clothes to new toys for their children to a Christmas tree and other holiday decorations for their homes. Many families have shared their stories; here's a look at what some of the families had to say:

"I am writing this letter to let everyone know how much Heroes at Home meant to our family. It has felt like for awhile now that the men and women that serve our country, and the families that stay behind and support them, have all but been forgotten. This is the first program that I have ever been a part of, and it makes me feel so good to see the love and kindness of people, and [to know] that people do still support my husband… My husband is now back in Iraq, but this time I feel like people do still care, and that helps give me a little extra strength—to know that there are people out there who [recognize] how hard it is to be a military family and…have compassion for children who go years without their mothers and fathers."

"As a military family, we know that the Army comes first. We hold our heads up high and make the best of any situation. We have an inner strength the helps us through, but when we received the Heroes at Home Wish Registry gift card, it brought tears to my eyes. It made me realize that we are not going through this alone."

Sears Holdings' ongoing commitment to assisting troops and their families includes several recruiting and employment programs, as well as a military pay differential to full-time Sears associates who are reservists serving on active duty. Additionally, reservists who are employed full time are allowed to continue participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs.

For additional information about the Heroes at Home Wish Registry or to make a donation, visit www.sears.com/heroesathome.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer, with approximately 3,900 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 2010 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 12 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