FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced that it funded 115 local classroom projects in Chicago, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think It Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping to create a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America. This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.
In addition to flash funding 115 STEM projects on DonorsChoose.org, Staples for Students and the Entertainment Industry Foundation helped fund school supplies for thousands of students in honor of Hatch Day and Jennifer’s nephew Julian D. King.
“Since its inception, Hatch Day has always been about celebrating Julian and honoring his passion for learning by providing families in need with basic school supplies, allowing those children to share his love for education,” said Jennifer Hudson, co-founder with her sister Julia of the Julian D. King Gift Foundation. “I’m so grateful to Think It Up and Staples for joining us in this mission and providing essential tools to teachers and students of Chicago to excel.”
Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than 236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14 million students. Today, in Chicago, Staples fully funded every STEM project on DonorsChoose.org in the Chicago Public School District. STEM education creates critical thinkers and enables the next generation of innovators. More than $95,000 was donated to help 96 teachers fulfill classroom needs and reached 12,037 students across 59 schools in the Chicago Public School District.
“We’re thrilled to fund 115 STEM projects in the Chicago Public School District and to work with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Think It Up initiative and DonorsChoose.org to ensure classrooms have the supplies and resources they need,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online, Staples. “Through our Staples for Students program, we’re proud to build on our rich history of supporting education with our $10 million pledge that will make a difference in America’s classrooms.”
A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students. Additionally, the survey revealed that 76% agree that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms.
"We are so grateful to Staples for their support of teachers and students through Think It Up," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. "Their incredible gesture today will ensure that Chicago teachers won't have to dig as deep into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies, and that students will have the materials they need to start the school year right.”
The flash funding in Chicago is part of Staples’ $10 million pledge to Think It Up which will inspire students to pursue their passions by working on collaborative learning projects. To help support the Think It Up movement, customers can donate one dollar at a Staples store near them or visit www.thinkitup.org to learn more.
“Think It Up is excited to collaborate with Staples in helping Jennifer continue Julian’s love of education by providing support to students and teachers in Chicago. EIF is grateful to Staples for joining Think It Up as its lead corporate donor, and helping the Chicago Public School District get the school year off to a terrific start illustrates how deeply committed the company is to ensuring students and teachers have what they need to create learning experiences that make a genuine impact and prepare students for future success,” said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
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Fans can enter the #StaplesforStudents
sweepstakes for a chance to win a $50,000 scholarship and a VIP Red
Carpet Experience. Fifty lucky winners will fly to Los Angeles with a
friend to attend a star-studded Think It Up event. One lucky grand prize
winner will win the trip to Los Angeles and a $50,000 scholarship.
Visit www.staples.com/scholarship to learn about different ways to earn entries and increase chances of winning, including making an in-store purchase, sending a tweet, signing up for e-mail and more. Entries must be submitted before 11:59PM ET on Aug. 22 and participants must be 13 years or older.
About Staples
Staples makes it easy to make more happen
with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class
retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop
however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on
mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as
technology, facilities and break room supplies, furniture, safety
supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Staples also
offers free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most cases
overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates in North
and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More
information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
About Staples for Students
Staples has a long history of
supporting students, teachers and classrooms. Staples for Students is an
ongoing campaign that helps students and teachers with the school
supplies and essential items needed for a successful education. The
Staples for Students campaign includes school supply donations, support
for teachers in classrooms, donations for education projects, classroom
initiatives and the sale of products that give back to communities and
classrooms in need.
About DonorsChoose.org
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org
makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. At this nonprofit
website, teachers at half of all the public schools in America have
created project requests and more than a million people have donated
$330 million to projects that inspire them. All told, over 14 million
students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken
areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology and
other resources that they need to learn.
About The Entertainment Industry Foundation
The
Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), established in 1942, harnesses
the collective power of the entire industry to generate awareness and
funds for critical health, educational and social issues. Stand Up To
Cancer (SU2C), EIF’s largest initiative, helps accelerate the pace of
research to get new therapies to patients quickly. Since its founding
seven years ago, SU2C has launched 16 collaborative “Dream Teams”
comprising over 940 scientists from 123 leading institutions around the
world. That research, including 151 planned, initiated or completed
clinical trials, has led to Food and Drug Administration approval of two
new treatments. In just 15 months, Hunger Is, EIF’s
collaboration with The Safeway Foundation, has significantly raised
awareness of childhood hunger in the United States and over $10 Million
to support breakfast, afterschool and out-of-school meal programs.
