From Our Family to Yours: Sears Canada Salutes Military Families At the 9th Annual Sears Operation Wish

Public Invited to Send Well-Wishes to Local Troops and their Families
By Signing Operation Wish Postcards

HALIFAX, Dec. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - With Christmas just around the corner, here's a perfect gift idea that fits right in with the Holiday spirit of community and giving.

Sears Canada, as part of its 9^th annual Operation Wish program in support of local military troops and their families, invites Canadians to visit the Sears Halifax store at the Halifax Shopping Centre and sign a postcard expressing their Holiday season wishes to show support of the troops and their families who make up an important part of the Halifax community.

The Operation Wish "From Our Family To Yours" postcards will be available at the customer service desks at the Sears Halifax store at the Halifax Shopping Centre through Sunday, December 7, 2014.  These signed postcards will be displayed at the store throughout the week, and they will then be delivered to the Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). Sears Canada works in partnership with the MFRC to organize Operation Wish, which pays tribute to and honours the Canadian military, both at home and abroad, and their families.

"Since 2006, Sears Canada has honoured and recognized the often selfless contribution military and their families make to this community and our country," said James Davis, General Manager, Sears Halifax.  "Over the years, we have done many different things, such as encouraging our customers to sign large banners and Holiday cards with well-wishes, which we sent to deployed troops who were away from home over the Holidays. The goal is always the same, to bring those serving and their families closer together at Christmastime."

Operation Wish postcards are also being collected at Sears stores in other cities near military bases across the country such as Belleville, Valcartier, QC, Winnipeg and Victoria.

Sears is also donating $10,000 to help support local MFRC youth oriented programs along with a percentage of funds raised through sales of its special, limited edition plush bear, Finn.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of Finn are donated to Sears Canada Charitable Foundation sponsored organizations that support the healthy development of Canadian youth, and the Sears Foundation will donate a percentage of the proceeds from Finn's sale to local MFRCs. 

Since its inception in 2006, the Sears Operation Wish program has donated in excess of $125,000 to support both national and local military family support programs.

"Being in the military, or part of a military family, it is always gratifying to receive support from the community," said Denise Surette, communications services, Halifax and Region MFRC. "It can be tough at times during the Holidays as military families are often apart at this time of year because of deployments or other assignments. Events like this are truly heartwarming. It is often the little things we do for each other that make a big difference."

Sears Canada has also made Sunday, December 7, 2014 Military Family Shopping Day, where active Canadian military personnel, their families and veterans receive a 15 percent discount on most items sold at Sears department stores, Sears Home, Sears Hometown stores and online at www.sears.ca.  It runs from midnight to midnight (eastern time) on the 7^th.  Valid military ID or CF Appreciation Card is required at any Sears store in Canada.

About Sears Canada

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 174 corporate stores, 207 Hometown stores, over 1,300 catalogue and online merchandise pick-up locations, 96 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.