ATLANTA & FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, teen actor Jake T. Austin teamed up with Staples and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the 6th Annual Staples for Students national school supply drive. The Staples for Students program provided school supplies to more than 5,000 students in communities nationwide.
“It’s been an honor to be the spokesperson for this year’s Staples for Students campaign,” said Jake. “I am truly inspired by the number of teens who supported Staples for Students to help kids in their communities.”
Jake, joined by celebrity supporters Bella Thorne, Gregg Sulkin of Wizards of Waverly Place and Pretty Little Liars, and Garrett Clayton and Mollee Gray of Teen Beach Movie, supported the season-long campaign by filling packs with school supplies during the 6th Annual Staples for Students event at Universal City following the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.
“We are very thankful for teens and customers who support Staples for Students each year,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president stores and online marketing. “Donations from our customers combined with Staples’s contributions go to local Boys & Girls Club to provide students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom.”
“We are most appreciative to Staples for providing our Clubs and youth with the resources needed to ensure they have a successful school year and create a path to a great future,” said Kimberly Boyd, vice president, program training & youth development services for BGCA. “Partnerships and programs like the Staples for Students national school supply drive support our mission of enabling youth to be successful throughout school and follow a career or educational plan post-high school to become productive and responsible citizens.”
Throughout the summer, Staples’ customers were able to give back to their local communities by making a donation of $1 or more at the register with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local Boys & Girls Clubs. Teens were also encouraged to drop off supplies during the one week in-store supply drive at Staples stores nationwide. Since 2008, the Staples for Students has raised more than $3 million for hundreds of thousands of students throughout the country. Past celebrity influencers have included Jordin Sparks, Ciara, Nikki Reed, the cast of Pretty Little Liars and Bella Thorne.
About Staples
Staples is the world’s largest office products company and second largest internet retailer. For 27 years, Staples has served the needs of business customers and its vision is to provide every product businesses need to succeed. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples offers office supplies, technology products and services, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, copy and print services and a wide range of other product categories. With thousands of associates worldwide dedicated to making it easy for businesses of all sizes, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com. Follow Staples on Twitter at http://twitter.com/staples and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
About Jake T. Austin
Whether appearing on TV/film, or lending his voice to animated characters, Jake T. Austin is a multitalented actor who has showcased his talent across the board in the entertainment industry. Best known for his role of ‘Max Russo’ on the multi Emmy Award winning Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Jake is currently starring in ABC Family’s hit series, “The Fosters,” opposite Teri Polo and Sherri Saum. The hour-long drama from executive producer Jennifer Lopez premiered on June 3 to record breaking numbers & has since been ordered for an additional 10 episodes-set to premiere JAN 2013— the show also won a 2013 Teen Choice Award. On the big screen, Jake was last seen in Garry Marshall’s “New Year’s Eve,” starring opposite Abigail Breslin and Sarah Jessica Parker, and will next be seen in “Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn,” starring opposite Joel Courtney, as ‘Huck.’ Additionally, Jake will reprise his role of ‘Fernando’ in the animated 20th Century FOX’s “Rio 2,” which will be released in April 2014. A driven and talented young actor, Jake is equally committed to using his public profile to raise awareness for those less fortunate, supporting and devoting his free time to the Ronald McDonald House New York, as its first-ever Youth Spokesperson. Summer 2013, Jake was honored by Variety Magazine & named a driving force in the entertainment industry in front of the camera & bts, as a Power of Youth Honoree-for his work with the RMH-NY.
