Sears and Kmart Help Haiti Earthquake Victims by Collecting In-Store Donations Nationwide
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Sears Holdings has rallied support from its associates and customers across the country, and today, announced it has raised more than $2 million to support the people of that nation. Funds raised will be donated directly to the American Red Cross and will support emergency relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross includes sending relief supplies, mobilizing relief workers, providing financial resources and other support.
"Our customers have truly demonstrated an outpouring of support to help the residents of Haiti during this crucial time of need," said Scott Freidheim, executive vice president for Sears Holdings. "This has been a community-wide effort in cities across the country and in more than 2,200 Sears and Kmart stores, as well as on Sears.com and Kmart.com. We are proud to be a part of this effort."
Beyond making monetary donations, customers in select markets like Puerto Rico were invited to donate first-need items to collection bins at Kmart and Sears. The retailers accepted donations collected by local schools and other community organizations that wanted their fundraising efforts to reach those that needed it the most. All merchandise that was collected in-store was delivered to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Since the delivery to the American Red Cross, all fundraising efforts have been focused on monetary donations.
Across the country, Sears and Kmart associates are stepping up and volunteering to help with disaster relief efforts.
The $2 million raised for Haiti relief is part of over $38 million raised by Sears Holdings in the past 15 months for community programs such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the March of Dimes, and Heroes at Home.
Donations will be accepted nationwide in-store through Jan. 31 at Sears and Feb. 13 at Kmart.
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. 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 exclusively 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' Web site at www.searsholdings.com.
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SOURCE: Sears Holdings Corporation
CONTACT: Tom Aiello of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-7387,
tom.aiello@searshc.com; or Carolyn Goldberg of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR,
+1-212-367-6947, carolyn.goldberg@eurorscg.com, for Sears
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