Sears Deploys Sears Heroes at Home Fundraising Campaign to Help Deserving U.S. Military Service Men and Women

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, to honor those who give so much without asking for much in return, Sears Heroes at Home, along with Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading volunteer home-rehabilitation organization, are continuing to improve the lives of American military families in need by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to hundreds of homes. With the goal of completing more than 750 rebuilding projects by the end of 2010, Sears and Rebuilding Together are launching this year's efforts by renovating Specialist Derek Gagne's 102 year-old home in Green Bay, Wis. on May 26.

Building upon a tradition that has raised more than $21 million in charitable donations toward military programs and initiatives ($9 million of that for Sears Heroes at Home), Sears is encouraging Americans to join the effort of helping deserving military families by donating to Sears Heroes at Home. Between May 1 and July 31, Americans are asked to give what they can to help support the rehabilitation of homes for veterans and military families across the country. Donations can be made both in store and online at Sears.com/heroesathome, where consumers can also see, first hand, stories and photos of military service men and women whose lives have been improved by Sears Heroes at Home.

Additionally, tech-savvy consumers can give back to Sears Heroes at Home through CauseWorld, the mobile application that lets consumers help the world while they shop. CauseWorld, a free, location-based mobile application for iPhone ™, iPod touch® and Android phones, allows users to collect "karma points" while shopping and then turn them into real cash donations to charitable causes. Consumers can also use CauseWorld to scan barcodes of products for extra points. Sears Heroes at Home is currently the only military and veteran-related cause on CauseWorld.

"Sears is proud of its year-round commitment to our nation's military including through Sears Heroes at Home which, in partnership with Rebuilding Together, seeks to improve the lives of military service men and women around the country," said Scott Freidheim, Executive Vice President, Operating & Support Business for Sears. "Sears hopes to inspire our staff, associates and customers to join the mission to help these deserving military families by giving back either by donating to Sears Heroes at Home or volunteering at one of the rebuilding projects."

Sears and Rebuilding Together will kick off its fundraising campaign by renovating the home of U.S. Army Specialist Derek Gagne who was wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) hit his Humvee on his way back to base while stationed in Iraq in 2006. Volunteers from Sears and Rebuilding Together will conduct a variety of modifications, from installing a new roof, to rewiring all of the electricity. Additionally, Sears is providing brand new appliances, as well as conducting numerous repairs to make Gagne's home accessible, livable and comfortable.

Sears Heroes at Home provides support to service members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations, including Rebuilding Together. To find out more about Sears Heroes at Home, or to nominate a military family or veteran to the home renovation program through Rebuilding Together, 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, home 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.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing free home repair and modification services to those in need. 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. Beyond its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together also rehabilitates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on aging in place. In addition, Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together is currently celebrating 20 years as a national organization and the completion of over 100,000 homes thanks to the efforts of more than 200 affiliates nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.RebuildingTogether.org.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation