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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --ÌýKmart shoppers rallied together last holiday season to support the 2015 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving^® campaign.Ìý The introduction of The Giving Hatâ„¢ - a stylish winter knit hat created by Kmart to encourage giving to St. Jude – engaged shoppers in new ways and contributed to an extraordinary $16.1 million in total donations by Kmart members, associates and customers last year. Since 2006, Kmart has raised more than $92.8 million for St. Jude.

One dollar from the sale of each $5 hat was added to the donation Kmart stores raised over the holiday season for St. Jude. â„¢ quickly became popular among shoppers and fueled donations; Kmart offered the item to inspire those looking to support the cause beyond just donating.

"Our donation to St. Jude would never be possible without the support from our Kmart members, customers and associates across the country," said Alasdair James, Kmart president and chief member officer. "We also saw firsthand how the introduction of The Giving Hatâ„¢ warmed hearts and heads, and brought us together to help raise funds for St. Jude in the fight against childhood cancer."

Highlights from Kmart's contributions to the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign include: Ìý

• More than 105,000 Giving Hats sold and worn throughout the holiday season and into colder winter months
• Nearly 159,000 St. Jude Holiday Bear ornaments hung on Christmas trees last year, generating an additional donation to St. Jude
• Hundreds of Kmart shoppers showcasing their passion for St. Jude by wearing their Giving Hats and sharing the photos on social media
• Kmart achieving title of the No. 1 corporate giver to St. Jude for the seventh straight year

"Kmart continuesÌýto beÌýa leaderÌýforÌýour St. JudeÌýThanks andÌýGivingÌýcampaign and weÌýareÌýgrateful for their unwavering commitment to the children of St. Jude," said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The incredible support of their customers and associates allows usÌýto keep my father's founding promise that no family ever pays St. Jude for anythingÌý–Ìýnot for treatment, travel, housing or foodÌýbecause we believe all a family should worry about is helping their child live. This year, Kmart, in collaboration with St. Jude, designed and sold The Giving Hat toÌýraiseÌýadditional funds andÌýawarenessÌýfor the lifesaving work happening at St. Jude. The hat truly embodied the spirit of the season and campaign."

Kmart is encouraging members to continue to share photos of themselves and their friends and family wearing on the St. Jude Shop Your Way page (). Kmart also welcomes members to post messages on the page about those in their life who may also be fighting a similar illness, which may inspire future designs of the hat.

Since 2006, Kmart Shop Your Way members, customers and associates have embodied the holiday spirit with their generous support of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign – making Kmart the hospital's No. 1 supporter. To watch a moving digital video about The Giving Hat, featuring several celebrities, including longtime Kmart ambassador and St. Jude supporter Jaclyn Smith, visit or follow the conversation via #TheGivingHat.Ìý

About Kmart
is making shopping fun again. The retailer, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:ÌýSHLD), is bringing back the iconic Bluelight Specials, hosting Freebie Saturdays and in-store family events for itsÌýShop Your WayÌýmembers and customers. Kmart offers customers thrilling deals and amazing finds on quality products and exclusive brands includingÌýJaclyn Smith,ÌýJoe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented atÌýSt. JudeÌýhave helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent sinceÌýthe hospital opened more than 50 years ago.ÌýSt. JudeÌýis working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.ÌýSt. JudeÌýfreely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved atÌýSt. JudeÌýmeans doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill fromÌýSt. JudeÌýfor treatment, travel, housingÌýor food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.ÌýÌýJoin theÌýSt. JudeÌýmission by visitingÌýÌýor followingÌýSt. JudeÌýon Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌý.

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SOURCE Kmart