CONTACT:

Sears Public Relations And Communications
 
(847) 286-8371

Sears Customers Say 'Thanks a Million' (and More) to Military Families

Third fundraising effort nets $1.4 million for charitable program Heroes at
                                  Home(sm)

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a third
fundraising effort to help improve the lives of military families across
America, Sears customers and associates raised $1.4 million for Rebuilding
Together, Inc. through Heroes at Home(sm), a Sears Holdings program created
with the nation's leading volunteer home rehabilitation organization,
Rebuilding Together. Through Heroes at Home, Sears Holdings helps make
necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to the homes of military
families facing hardship.

    From May 22 through July 6, Sears customers participated in the
fundraising initiative in three ways: by using their Sears Card, purchasing
a Heroes at Home gift card, or by making donations in-store and online.
Kmart customers were able to lend their support with the purchase of any
Hershey's product, while Hershey's sweetened the gift with their own
donation of $50,000 to put the total tally of the Heroes at Home program at
$1.4 million.

    "Sears Holdings is proud that our customers and associates have risen
to the occasion and supported our Heroes at Home initiative, especially now
when families are being challenged by a tough economic environment," said
W. Bruce Johnson, interim CEO and President, Sears Holdings. "Over the last
year, our Heroes at Home effort has raised $5.4 million for Rebuilding
Together, helping hundreds of military families across America and
continuing our support of the men and women who serve our country."

    Christopher Joseph -- a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served in
Iraq and in his career has been decorated with the National Defense Service
Award, Good Conduct Award, Medal of Achievement and Commendation of Long
Island -- was the first of 70+ military families to benefit from the 2008
Memorial Day fundraising initiative. Through Heroes at Home and Rebuilding
Together, Sgt. Joseph, his wife Barbara and daughter Zuwena, now live
comfortably in their two-story house in Brentwood, NY, thanks to the new
roof, bathroom modifications, window and door repairs, and heating system
repairs that were provided at no cost to the family at a kick-off event on
May 21.

    To find out more about Heroes at Home or to refer a military family or
veteran to the program, visit http://www.sears.com or call 1-800-473-4229. Sears
Holdings' ongoing commitment to assisting troops and their families
includes several recruiting and employment programs. The company offers a
military pay differential to employees serving in the armed forces.
Additionally, reservists who are employed full-time are allowed to continue
participating in life insurance, medical and dental programs. If you make a
cash donation to Heroes at Home 100% of your donation will benefit
Rebuilding Together, a 501 (c) (3) organization. Your entire cash donation
is eligible for tax deduction treatment for U.S. Federal tax purposes.

    About Sears Holdings Corporation

    Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD) is the nation's fourth
largest broadline retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and
approximately 3,800 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. 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 Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are
offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The
company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than
13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears
Holdings' website at http://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.



 >
    MEDIA CONTACTS:
    Taline Kundakji
    Euro RSCG Worldwide PR
    212-367-6922
    or
    Brenda Storch
    Sears Holdings
    847-286-2897 / 224-735-9579
    or
    Becky Carter
    Rebuilding Together
    202-518-3500

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation





 

 
Web site: http://www.searsholdings.com

 http://www.RebuildingTogether.org

  

 
CONTACT: Taline Kundakji of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR,
 +1-212-367-6922; or Brenda Storch of Sears Holdings,
 +1-847-286-2897 or +1-224-735-9579; or Becky Carter of Rebuilding
 Together, +1-202-518-3500