Special In-Store Discount of Military Family Shopping Day on December 15
BELLEVILLE, ON, Dec. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian military personnel and
their families live and work in communities across the country, and the
soldiers face unique challenges raising a family while serving in the
Canadian Armed Forces. Sears Canada, through its 8th annual Operation Wish program, invites Canadians to show their support
for their military friends and neighbours.
Operation Wish 2013 was officially launched today by Sears Canada, in
partnership with local Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC) located
across Canada, the Canadian Association of Military Family Resource
Centres (MFRC) and the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
(CFMWS). Operation Wish, which began in 2006 when Canadian Forces
personnel stationed overseas were given Sears Wish Books to purchase
Christmas gifts for their families back home, is a national celebration
of military personnel and their families.
"Having served in the military and away from home on extended periods of
time, I know first-hand what a relief it can be to know that someone is
helping to take care of your family and looking out for their
well-being," said Doug Campbell, President & CEO, Sears Canada, himself
a former US Marine. "We are very proud to provide a vehicle, through
Operation Wish, to help Canadians show their support for our military
and their families across the country. While the program looks a bit
different each year, the goal is always the same - to build a bridge
between the local military base and the community by providing a way
we, as a community, can show our support for our military friends and
neighbours."
Operation Wish events were held today in communities near military bases
across the country where Sears announced an initiative in support of
children of active military personnel. Sears is making a $10,000
donation to the newly formed Canadian Association of Military Family
Resource Centres (MFRCs). Since Operation Wish's inception in 2006,
Sears has donated over $100,000 to national military family support
programs.
Sears also introduced an additional fundraising initiative to support
the important work done by every MFRC across Canada. Each year, Sears
sells a special, limited edition plush with $2 from the sale of each
plush toy directed to Sears Canada Charitable Foundation youth
development programs. A percentage of money from sales of Nate, the 2013 plush bear, will be donated to the Canadian Association of
MFRCs for their youth programs.
The community was also invited to the local Sears store to send
well-wishes to the military by signing a life-size cutout of the Nate bear. The cutout, once filled with signatures, will be sent to the
local MFRC office as a symbol of the community's support.
"Being in the military, or part of a military family, is not always
easy," said Kaetlyn Corbould, spokesperson for, and member of, the
Canadian Association of MFRCs. "It's not uncommon for military families
in our community to still have a loved one deployed far away from home
over the Holiday season. Military families are also often called upon
to move a lot - creating challenges to form new bonds in new
communities. Support of the community, like signing this huge Sears
bear cutout, means a great deal to military personnel and their
families.'
Corbould added that financial support from the sale of Nate the bear is also very much appreciated by the local MFRC to run
important support programs for military members and their families.
Sunday, December 15, 2013 is also Military Family Shopping Day at Sears
Canada, in which active Canadian military personnel, their families and
veterans receive 15% off most in-store purchases at Sears department
stores, Sears Home stores and Sears Hometown stores.
About Sears Canada
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes
181 corporate stores, 241 Hometown stores, over 1,400 catalogue and
online merchandise pick-up locations, 101 Sears Travel offices and a
nationwide repair and service network. The company also publishes
Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers
shopping online at www.sears.ca
SOURCE Sears Canada Inc.
