Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings Raise Nearly $4 Million to Help Military Families and Veterans
Article type: Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C. – February 11, 2008 – Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, today proudly announced that Sears customers raised $3.8 million dollars in 2007 for the charitable program ‘Heroes at Home’. ‘Heroes at Home’ is a joint effort between Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings. The program was created to assist military families and veterans in need across America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes.
Over the holidays, Sears customers were able donate in-stores or online to ‘Heroes at Home’ raising $1.4 million during the second fund-raising campaign. Sears also made a donation of $1 million to the program for credit card purchases made at any of its Sears stores during the same period of time. Combined, two fund-raising cycles generated $3.8 million dollars. 
"Through its partnership with its customers, Sears has been able to make the work of Rebuilding Together come to life, preserving affordable housing for our nation's military heroes," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Our Affiliate Network is committed to serving America's veterans nationwide to make sure they get the help they need to remain in their own homes in safe and comfortable conditions."
Nearly 50 families and veterans were assisted in 2007 through ‘Heroes at Home’ and there are already plans to help hundreds more in 2008. A fund-raising campaign in the Spring of 2008 is expected to increase the number of veterans and military families who will be assisted in 2009.
’Heroes at Home’ projects range from veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam unable to complete necessary repairs, to a blended family of nine struggling with the sudden deployment of their husband and father to Iraq forcing him to leave their home renovation project unfinished.
To find out more about Heroes at Home or to refer a military family to the program visit www.RebuildingTogether.org or call 1-800-473-4229.
About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve homeownership and neighborhoods by providing rehabilitation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses, and the hands-on work of a quarter-million volunteers, Rebuilding Together rehabs and repairs more than 9000 homes each year. The market value of this work is in excess of $100 million annually. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together rehabs community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together has grown to 225 affiliates nationwide since its founding in 1988, and is now preserving safe and healthy homes in 1800 communities nationwide. Rebuilding Together celebrated the rehabilitation of its 100,000th home in 2006. For details, see http://www.rebuildingtogether.org or call 1-800-REHAB-9.
Contacts:
Cynthia Woodruff, Rebuilding Together – 202-483-9083 or 202-402-0824
Becky Carter, Rebuilding Together – 202-518-3500 or 202-302-1139
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Initiatives: Veterans Housing, Heroes at Home