Studs to Roof: Making a House a Home Through Massive Renovation

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, is teaming with Sears for its inaugural "Studs to Roof" project, a series of major home renovation projects for low-income homeowners located across the country. Former U.S. National Guard veteran, Lee Walker, is the first homeowner to receive a "Studs to Roof" makeover on his home.  Rebuilding Together Northwest Arkansas, an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, has engaged local volunteers, sponsors and leaders to work with Sears on the Walker home.

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Lee Walker was seriously injured this past January when a tornado destroyed his family's home and threw Walker and his daughter, Jaylee, from their home. Lee suffered a broken back and two broken legs, and has undergone multiple surgeries and intense physical therapy since the tragic accident. The Walkers' home completely collapsed under the tornado's force and his family is now faced with not only needing a home, but one that is adapted to meet Mr. Walker's needs.  

The "Studs to Roof" initiative is rooted in Rebuilding Together and Sears' successful Heroes at Home program, which serves the nation's veterans by completing critical renovations in their homes. "Studs to Roof" will serve military veterans, rebuilding the home from its studs to create a residence that meets the homeowners' critical needs. In addition to the Walker home, three additional "Studs to Roof" homes are planned through October, including the final project in Washington, D.C., which will mark the 1,000th veterans home completed by Rebuilding Together.

"Studs to Roof is a great program that will serve injured and suffering veterans on an entirely new level – we will be able to address all of their home challenges and inconsistencies to deliver affordable housing stock that provides safety and longevity to our fellow neighbors who have given so much to their country," said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together.

Sears' DIT Traveling Toolbox – a toolbox packed with an assortment of Craftsman power and hand tools – will help to complete the work on the Walker home.

"We look forward to expanding upon our work with Rebuilding Together to go beyond home renovations and supporting  our military veterans and families with homes built from 'Studs to Roof,'" said David Friedman, SVP and president of Marketing, Sears Holdings. "The Walkers are an example of the many families who have been impacted by devastating storms this year and through this project and hundreds of others, Sears can continue to give back and help these families and communities recover."

To learn more about Heroes at Home, "Studs to Roof" and Rebuilding Together, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org and www.Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.

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 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 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.  

About Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together