corporate info

ST. JOHN'S, NL, Nov. 3, 2005 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) -- Sears Canada (TSX: SCC) today presented a $10,000 cheque to the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John's, which will help the club enhance their after-school health and fitness programs for over 500 children and youth.

The cheque presentation was part of the opening ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the new Sears department store in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The new 143,000 square foot store located in the Avalon Mall at 48 Kenmount Road, will offer St. John's consumers a vast selection of merchandise in a larger and more convenient location.

Chris Merrick, Store Manager at Sears St. John's Avalon, presented the cheque on behalf of Sears Young Futures to Christopher Pickard, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John's.

"This reinforces the continued support that Sears has given the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. John's over the past several years," said Pickard. "It will allow our Club to continue to provide enhanced after-school programming focused on nutrition, cooking and healthy lifestyles."

The Sears Young Futures funds will allow the Club to refurbish their kitchen and to increase the number of nutrition and cooking programs offered to children and youth. In addition, the Club recently received a $10,000 Sears Young Futures After-School Enhancement Grant which has also been earmarked for after-school nutrition and healthy lifestyles programming.

"After-school programs focused on nutrition and healthy lifestyles are important to the health of our children and youth," Merrick said. "We are pleased to be able to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John's to enrich the lives of local young people by offering these important programs." Merrick and Pickard were joined by Bob Ridgley, MHA of St. John's North, Mayor Andy Wells, Brent Hollister, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sears Canada, and Sears store associates at the opening ceremony.

Sears Canada has been a major supporter of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada for over 40 years and 2004 marked the second year in a row in which the Company donated over $1 million to the organization. Sears Young Futures, the Sears Canada community investment program, supports organizations that provide enriching after-school programs for children and youth across Canada. Along with corporate contributions, funds are raised through in-store campaigns and customer donations of Sears Club points. As well as serving communities though partnerships with national organizations, Sears Young Futures works with more than 300 local charitable organizations that provide after-school programming for children and youth.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of St. John's, founded in 1946, is a leading provider of programs to children and youth that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of over 700 young people and their families in the community. Dedicated, trained staff and volunteers offer programs in health and fitness, technology, the arts, personal growth and more. The Club creates a safe, supportive environment where children and youth experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships while developing confidence and skills for life.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading provider of programs to children and youth that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of more than 150,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada, clubs offer after-school programs in physical recreation, technology, the arts, personal growth and more. Children and youth experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life. Many clubs also provide meals, emergency shelter, family support programs and other supports to children and youth at risk. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network of 191 corporate stores, 177 dealer stores, 62 home improvement showrooms, over 2,100 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 113 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.

Contact: Michael Bouliane, Sears Canada Inc., (416) 941-4427,
michael.bouliane@sears.ca; Christopher Pickard, Boys and Girls Clubs of St.
John's, (709) 579-3151, cpickard@stjohnsclub.nf.net