corporate info

"We have been overwhelmed with support from our customers and associates for this initiative," said Donald Hannah, Store Manager, Sears West Edmonton Mall. "It's very difficult to be away from home during the Holidays, as is the case for the thousands of Canada's military personnel serving overseas. This is our small way of helping Canadians reach out to support the troops and their families."

The Christmas card tour was launched in Quebec City in early November, in honour of the large contingent of soldiers who recently left from that region. The first three cards loaded with signatures were then shipped from CFB Trenton, ON and unveiled for soldiers in Afghanistan at a special event at the Canadian military base in Afghanistan on November 30.

"Receiving good wishes from people back home means a great deal to our deployed troops," said Jamie Hamelin, Communications & Marketing Co-ordinator, MFRC Edmonton. "Canadians' thoughts and support are also very meaningful to all military families, whether their loved ones are deployed or not. Words and well wishes from Canadians is especially important during the holiday season. It is very significant that Sears is supporting our servicemen and women in this meaningful way."

In the Edmonton area, the cards will be at the following Sears locations: West Edmonton Mall, Kingsway, Bonnie Doon, and Southgate, beginning December 4.

In addition to the cards, Operation Wish also allows Canadian troops stationed abroad to place a customized order from the Sears Wish Book online. Copies of the catalogue were sent to Canadian soldiers, sailors and air force personnel posted to operational missions in Afghanistan, Africa, the Balkans, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Southwest Asia and the Arabian Gulf region, as well as those serving on HMCS Charlottetown.

The CFPSA develops and delivers morale and welfare programs, activities and services to members of the CF and their families, in Canada and overseas. These activities include sports and recreation, health and fitness, family services, retail operations, financial services and, mess management. In addition, the CFPSA deploys approximately 70 civilian personnel per six-month rotation to Afghanistan to conduct morale and welfare programs.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network of 196 corporate stores, 179 dealer stores, 61 home improvement showrooms, over 1,800 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 106 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

SOURCE: Sears Canada Inc.

Eliana Cugini, Sears Canada, (416) 941-4426, ecugini@sears.ca; Wendy Walker,
PRCommunications Inc., (403) 813-4186, wendy-walker@shaw.ca