Diverse News 2007®

Sears and Kmart Customers Raise $1.3 Million to Help Military Families
  Sears, Kmart and Rebuilding Together team up to help veterans nationwide

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Through the generosity
of Sears and Kmart customers and associates, Sears Holdings raised $1.3
million in its first fund-raising effort for Heroes at Home (sm), a
charitable partnership with Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading
volunteer home rehabilitation organization. Through Heroes at Home, Sears
Holdings seeks to improve the lives of military families in need across
America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their
homes.
    "We thank our customers and associates for embracing Heroes at Home,"
said Alywin B. Lewis, chief executive officer and president of Sears
Holdings Corporation. "Our company has a longstanding commitment to the
heroic men and women in the military. Through this program, we are able to
help ensure that many of these heroes and their families are living in
safe, warm and comfortable homes."

    Army Specialist Ryan C. Major, 21, of Silver Spring, Md., is the first
beneficiary of Heroes at Home. Ryan is currently recovering from severe
wounds he received when an improvised explosive device detonated while he
was on patrol in Iraq. His injuries resulted in the amputation of both
legs, damage to both arms and a traumatic brain injury. Heroes at Home
provided Specialist Major with a wheelchair accessible bedroom, bathroom
and elevator.
    "The help that Rebuilding Together, Sears and Kmart have provided has
been a true blessing," stated Lorrie Knight-Major, Ryan's mother. "I wanted
to bring Ryan home and now they have made that truly possible."
    Sears also donated a new washer and dryer and a plasma TV to Ryan and
his family. David Weavill, manager of the Sears store in Silver Spring,
volunteered to personally supervise the delivery and installation of the
appliances.
    "When we work together, we build new hope in the lives of others," said
Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Through their
partnership with their customers, Sears and Kmart show how extraordinary
things can be done for our service members and their families who have
sacrificed for us."
    To find out more about the Heroes at Home program go to
http://www.RebuildingTogether.org or call 1-800-473-4229.
    About Rebuilding Together
    Rebuilding Together is America's largest volunteer-based home-repair
organization bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the
homes and lives of homeowners in need. The nonprofit has 230 affiliates,
mobilizes approximately 270,000 volunteers and renovates more than 9,000
homes per year. Rebuilding Together is celebrating the rehabilitation of
its 100,000th home this year. For details, see
http://www.rebuildingtogether.org or call 1-800- REHAB-9.
    About Sears Holdings Corporation

    Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline
retailer, with approximately $50 billion in annual revenues, and with
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.
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