HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.,
Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As
rebuilding efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Shop
Your Way is bringing the magic of the holidays to the island with
the announcement of a unique toy drive to support "Que Ningún Niño
Pierda la Ilusión en Esta Navidad
("Let no child lose the illusion this Christmas")," an initiative
in partnership with Major League Baseball player René Rivera. All
gifted toys will benefit children in Puerto Rico who were affected by the
devastating storm.
Shop Your Way, a free platform that connects members with offers
and experiences to help them save time and money in their everyday
lives, will collect toys in two ways: Now through Christmas, all 28
Kmart and Sears stores in Puerto
Rico will accept donations of new and gently used toys.
Members who do not live on the island can give back by purchasing
toy packs either online at Shop Your Way or at one of 25 Kmart and
Sears locations in Miami and the
Chicagoland area. Members can gift toy packs at $5, $10 or
$20 increments; and Shop Your Way
will match each toy pack purchased.* The goal of the program is to
gift 25,000 toys total this holiday season.
"We care deeply about the residents of Puerto Rico and have remained dedicated to
supporting their rebuilding efforts," said B.J. Naedele, Chief
Commercial Officer, Shop Your Way. "Keeping the spirit of Christmas
alive despite the hardship so many Puerto Ricans still face is an
idea that resonated with us, which is why we teamed up with René
for this toy drive. As a shopping destination, we are
well-positioned to help give families and children in Puerto Rico a merrier holiday."
Rivera, free agent catcher who most recently played for the
Chicago Cubs, has already pledged his commitment to his native
Puerto Rico as the island
continues to pick up the pieces post Hurricane Maria. He and his
wife, Mariel, will distribute collected toys to children across
Puerto Rico December 18-20. This follows Rivera's launch of a
GoFundMe page, which raised more than $39,000 for recovery efforts. In addition, Shop
Your Way has already gifted 25,000 pieces of Cubs apparel in
partnership with Rivera as well as his teammates Javier Baez and Victor
Caratini to the island's residents. Before Rivera arrives in
Puerto Rico, the catcher will host
an event on December 9 at the Kmart
store on 8th Street in Miami to
welcome those who have relocated from Puerto Rico to Miami—either temporarily or
permanently—and help them get on their feet. A second event on
December 16 in Rivera's hometown of
Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will serve
as an opportunity to continue to distribute collected apparel and
promote the toy drive, in addition to connecting with the community
during this time of year.
"To see my hometown in ruins has been heartbreaking, but that
feeling pales in comparison to knowing so many families are unable
to celebrate the holidays because of their situation," said Rivera.
"Our goal for this toy drive is to bring these families joy,
comfort and a break from their distress this holiday season."
The toy drive is another way Shop Your Way has assisted affected
members recovering in Puerto Rico.
Shop Your Way has distributed hundreds of care packages containing
food and essential supplies to community centers and children's
homes, as well as established 'comfort zones' at all open Sears and
Kmart stores to give families a place to sit and rest, charge
their phones and other devices, cool down in air conditioning and
allow children to play. Members of the Kmart Pharmacy team have
also been available at the 'comfort zones' to take blood
pressure screenings and share information about flu shots and
other immunizations.
Join Shop Your Way on social media to hear more about the latest
news. "Like" Shop Your Way on Facebook, and "follow" Shop Your Way
on Twitter and Instagram.
*Shop Your Way will match up to 7,500 toys
About Shop Your Way
Shop Your Way® a
business unit of Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a free social
shopping destination and rewards program offering millions of
products, personalized services, and advice. The program rewards
members for buying the products and services they want every
day. Through an extensive network, members can shop thousands
of top brands and earn points to use on future purchases. Members
also have access to special pricing, sales and digital coupons that
can be loaded directly into their account.
It's free and easy to become a Shop Your Way member and begin
enjoying benefits immediately when you visit shopyourway.com.
Download the free Shop Your Way app on iTunes or Google
Play.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Howard Riefs
Sears PR
847-286-7562
Howard.Riefs@searshc.com
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shop-your-way-to-bring-holiday-cheer-to-children-of-puerto-rico-300565565.html
SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation