Provide military heroes brighter holidays with Sears | Community Spirit

Thousands of active-duty soldiers will be away from home this holiday season, and Sears wants to help bridge the miles and make the holidays a little easier for the men and women who serve our country.

Sears has launched its 4th annual Heroes at Home Wish Registry(SM) encouraging customers and associates to donate in-store or online at sears.com/heroesathome now through November 19th.

The Wish Registry, a seasonal extension of the Sears Heroes at Home program, gives deployed service members a chance to send their love home by providing the means for them to purchase practical gifts such as clothes, toys, and holiday decorations. The program, which distributes 100 percent of funds received back to military families across the country, has raised more than $16 million and helped more than 63,000 families in its first three years.

This year the Wish Registry opened for donations earlier than in the past so registered families can make purchases in time for Christmas. Donations made to the Wish Registry are not tax deductible and will be distributed equally to registry members in the form of Sears gift cards.

To help serve military heroes, Sears and Rebuilding Together are also conducting the "Operation Rebuild for Heroes at Home" social media contest, which gives communities across the U.S. the opportunity to help servicemen and women in need. Now through September 23rd, American can participate by visiting Facebook.com/Sears to read the stories behind nominated grant applications and vote for the Rebuilding Together affiliate project that they believe is most deserving. Based on total vote tallies, Sears and Rebuilding Together will award 25 overall grants totaling $250,000 to Rebuilding Together affiliates at Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels.

For additional information about the Heroes at Home Wish Registry or to make a donation, visit www.sears.com/heroesathome.