Do You Know a Kid Hero? Sears Wants to Know
Retailer Accepting Nominations for Its 2001 KidHero Program That Rewards Kids For Their Community Involvement With Scholarships, Charitable Donations And Gift Cards
Many people think that heroes have to be 6'4" and strong -- or at least they have to wear colorful tights. Sears has a different idea of what a hero is. This week, Sears is launching its 2001 Sears KidHero Program. This program, presented by Sears Good Life Alliance and Sears Kids Department, recognizes kids ages 6-14-years-old for their community involvement and awards them with scholarships, charitable contributions and Sears Gift Cards. A winner will be named in each of Sears 860 department stores throughout the country, each receiving a $50 Sears Gift Card and a $100 donation to the charity of his or her choice. From the local winners, Sears will name regional winners who will receive a $2,500 KidHero scholarship, a $250 Sears gift card and a $500 donation to the charity of their choice. The national winner, chosen from the six regional winners, will additionally receive a $7,500 scholarship, a $500 Sears gift card and a $1,500 donation to the charity of his or her choice.
Sears is looking for kids who are improving their communities and making life easier for their neighbors in need. Activities can range from raising money to fight leukemia and tutoring younger kids about the dangers of drugs to creating events to build awareness about the rainforest and organizing a food drive to help victims of natural disasters.
"Sears has practiced and promoted community involvement since its inception, and the Sears KidHero Program is an extension of that commitment," said Bob Wery, senior manager of Community Relations at Sears. "As part of Sears Good Life Alliance, we wanted to create a program that would encourage volunteerism and celebrate young people who share Sears commitment to community involvement. We are looking for kids who are both team players and leaders -- kids who care about their neighbors in need and who go above and beyond what is expected of them. In essence, we are looking for heroes who are trying to make the world a better place."
People are invited to nominate themselves or someone they know at any Sears department store. Entries must be received by October 20 and winners will be notified in April 2002. A complete set of rules is available at any Sears store.
The Sears KidHero Program is part of the Sears Good Life Alliance, a partnership between Sears, America's Promise and the Points of Light Foundation. Working on the local level through the Volunteer Center National Network and Communities of Promise, these organizations partner with Sears business units to bring the Sears Good Life Alliance to life in communities nationwide. The Sears Good Life Alliance seeks to engage Sears associates, their families, retirees, customers and vendors in volunteer initiatives that support local youth and their communities. The Sears Good Life Alliance expands on Sears philanthropic tradition through its pledge of one million volunteer hours by the end of 2002. Since the inception of the Sears Good Life Alliance in 2000, Sears volunteers have logged more than 540,000 hours. To learn more about volunteering, people can call 1-800-VOLUNTEER or visit the Sears Good Life Alliance Web site at http://www.sears.com/alliance .
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading retailer of apparel, home and automotive products and services, with annual revenue of more than $40 billion. The company serves families in the U.S. through Sears stores nationwide, including approximately 860 full-line stores. Sears also offers a wide variety of merchandise and services through its Web site, http://www.sears.com/ .
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Contact: Paula S. Davis of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-4965
Website: http://www.sears.com/alliance
Website: http://www.sears.com/