HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Feb. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the completion of its charitable holiday campaign in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Sears Hometown Stores is donating $92,762 to first responders throughout its stores' local communities. The goal of the "Salute to Local Heroes" campaign was to provide firehouses across the nation with critical funds to improve resources for training, equipment and financial support where fire and EMS departments need it most.
During the campaign, which ran from November 2 to December 31, 2014, Sears Hometown Stores customers and company employees had the opportunity to donate toward their local fire department while making a purchase. Additionally, $1 from each Craftsman® Bottle Cap Wrench purchased was donated directly to the chosen local department.
"Programs like 'Salute to Local Heroes' are essential to local fire departments, which frequently do not have sufficient funding to meet their basic needs," said Heather Schafer, CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council. "The generous donations enable us to support more than 1,000 fire and EMS departments, connecting local community members with the organizations that risk their lives to protect the lives and property of those in their community. The volunteer fire and emergency services thanks Sears Hometown Stores for helping those who serve."
Donations made by Sears Hometown Stores and its customers directly impact volunteer first responders who use the funds to purchase or provide a variety of necessities for their departments. These include: protective gear/rescue equipment, certifications and training, assistance and family support for injured responders, building maintenance and refurbishments, recruitment programs, and other needed resources and programs.
"Every year, we're inspired by the generosity of our customers and store owners throughout the country. The thoughtful donations put forth to support such a vital cause truly show the impact of business and community teamwork," said David Buckley, Chief Marketing Officer of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. which operates Sears Hometown Stores. "Aligning ourselves with an organization like the NVFC allows us to make a deeper connection with the communities in which we serve, by making a positive impact on critical organizations within them."
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 November 1, 2014, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. and its dealers and franchisees operated 1,257 stores across all 50 states as well as in Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
In addition to merchandise, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. provides 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, 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: Peter Verniere, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, at 847-286-5061 or Peter.Verniere@shos.com or visit our 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 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 www.nvfc.org/.