SEARS OFFERS ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GULF WAR

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Military families affected by the Persian Gulf war and all active duty U.S. military personnel are eligible for a new assistance program at Sears.

Family Appreciation cards are available at the Cape Girardeau Sears store customer convenience center.

In addition, Sears has waived all finance charges and monthly payments on SearsCharge purchases made by military personnel prior to their activation, Jack Watts, Sears store general manager, announced Friday.

"Some military families suffered financial hardship because of the conflict and the Sears family of employees wants to help them, and say `thank you' for a job well done," said Watts.

He said all active duty military personnel and all activated national guard members and reservists for Operation Desert Storm can receive discounts, free products and services from the Cape Sears store. The offer is good for 30 days beginning the day they sign up.

Services available with the card include:

- A free full-color, five-by-seven inch family portrait and five wallet-size photographs taken at the Sears photo studio.

- A free 12-point safety inspection for the family car.

- A free oil change for one car, including an oil filter and chassis lubrication.

- A 10-percent discount for 30 days that can be used as frequently as customers would like for purchases from the Sears store or catalogs.

"The absence of a spouse, mom, dad, son or daughter who was activated to serve in the military is disruptive to a family's daily life and may have resulted in financial hardship," Watts said. "Additionally, families probably postponed needed purchases and may have overlooked some of the routine maintenance activities for a home or car while being pre-occupied by the war."

For more information about the Family Appreciation Card, call Sears at 334-4860.