HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:SHOS) and its subsidiaries are partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council to raise money for one local fire department for each of their stores' communities as part of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.'s "Salute to Local Heroes" charity campaign. The objective of the campaign is to provide firehouses across the nation with critical funds to improve resources for training, equipment and financial support where the local heroes need it most.
From Nov. 23, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2013, Sears Hometown, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, Sears Appliance & Hardware Stores and Sears Outlet customers and company employees will have the opportunity to donate towards their local fire department while making a purchase. All contributed funds will go directly to the local fire station for that store's community. In addition, $2 from each Craftsman® Bottle Cap Wrench purchase will be directly donated to the chosen local department.
"Seven in 10 firefighters are volunteers, and their departments often struggle to make ends meet, especially in these challenging economic times," stated Heather Schafer, Executive Director of National Volunteer Fire Council. "Fundraising campaigns like 'Salute to Local Heroes' are critical for volunteer firehouses to have the necessary resources to perform their duties safely and effectively while protecting their local communities."
The campaign focuses on supporting first responders with funds that will go towards purchasing and maintaining the following:
- Equipment including protective gear, rescue tools, medical apparatuses, trucks, thermal imaging devices, etc.
- Response certifications and training
- Assistance and family support for injured responders
- Building maintenance and refurbishments
- Recruitment and retention programs
- Junior firefighter programs
- Firefighter memorials
- And other needed resources and programs
"We're excited to align ourselves with an organization that will help us make a deeper connection within our communities, while positively impacting them as a whole," said David Buckley, Chief Marketing Officer of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. who added that community involvement is a top operational priority across all four store formats. He continued, "By partnering with one fire department in each town, we hope to make a greater impact on each of the selected firehouses."
After the 2013 holiday launch, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. hopes to continue the partnership throughout 2014 to further benefit the local communities. Plans for any extended roll out for 2014 will be released upon the completion of the 2013 holiday campaign.
About Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq:SHOS) is a national retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools and hardware. As of August 3, 2013, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. and its dealers and franchisees operated 1,250 stores across all 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
In addition to merchandise, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. provide consumers with access to a full suite of services, including home delivery, installation and extended service contracts.
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. operates through two segments—the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment and the Sears Outlet segment. The Sears Hometown and Hardware segment's stores are designed to provide customers with in-store and online access to a wide selection of national brands of home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, tools, sporting goods and household goods, depending on the particular store. The Sears Outlet stores are designed to provide customers with in-store and online access to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked and scratched and dented products across a broad assortment of merchandise categories, including home appliances, apparel, mattresses, sporting goods, tools and lawn and garden equipment at prices that are significantly lower than manufacturers' suggested list prices.
For more information contact: Jayne Levy, Fishman Public Relations, at (847) 945-1300 or jlevy@fishmanpr.com or visit the corporate website at www.shos.com.
About National Volunteer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the unified voice of the volunteer Fire and EMS organizations in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. For more information about the NVFC visit http://www.nvfc.org/.