Illinois Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood, Record Number of Participants Highlight Sears' Take Our Children To Work Day
More Than 1,000 Children Attend Sears Ninth Annual Event
Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) associates will host more than 1,000 kids at its ninth annual Take Our Children To Work Day event. Held at the company's headquarters, the event features a presentation by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood, who will discuss her personal and professional challenges.
"Our goal is to provide opportunities for children to learn more about jobs available in retail and what it takes to be successful at them," said Jodie Sepanik, who has been organizing the event since 1999. "Take Our Children to Work Day is also a chance for parents and their children to uncover the children's talents and interests and begin to explore kids' career aspirations.
"This year, many of the activities focus on diversity and volunteerism through a variety of programs created by Sears associate networks, including The Women's Network, Parents at Work, and the African American Network."
In addition, the Sears Good Life Alliance, a strategic partnership between Sears, America's Promise and the Points of Light Foundation that seeks to engage Sears associates, their families, customers, vendors and retirees in volunteer initiatives, developed activities that support the goals of Sears Volunteer Week which is also being observed this week.
At the event, the Sears Good Life Alliance will host workshops that encourage youth to give back to their communities through volunteerism. During this week, Sears locations nationwide participate in local initiatives that benefit local youth and communities.
In addition to the Sears associates' children, Sears associate volunteers will host children ages 9-15 from a Carpentersville housing complex served by the Foxview Alliance for Community Enhancement. Students from "How Do I Love Me?" a self-esteem boosting program for girls based in St. Charles, Ill., also will participate. The girls attend Gompers Fine Arts Option Elementary School in Chicago and will spend the day at Sears as guests of the company's women's apparel division.
Children will plan their day by choosing from a list of more than 40 activities and career exploration sessions, ranging from store design, product development and multi-cultural marketing to Web site development, sales promotions and product testing. Other activities focus on volunteer opportunities, the importance of health and fitness, job interviewing and a variety of other topics.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading U.S. retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and services, with annual revenue of more than $40 billion. The company serves families throughout the country through approximately 860 department stores, approximately 2,100 specialized retail locations, and a variety of online offerings accessible through the company's Web site, .
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Contact: Linda Brown Blakley, 847-286-8862, or Melissa Winchester,
847-286-5708, both of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
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