FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) is once again joining forces with global pop music superstar Katy Perry to help teachers bring learning to life for students during the back-to-school season. Continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting education through the Staples for Students program, Staples is donating $1 million to DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has funded more than 700,000 classroom projects for teachers and has positively affected more than 18 million students across the country.
“Knowing the crucial role that teachers play in bringing learning to life for students, Staples is committed to supporting DonorsChoose.org to help teachers succeed and impact the future of children,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of North American stores and online marketing, Staples. “Katy Perry’s powerful and influential voice will highlight the effect teachers have on our children’s lives and the need to support classrooms. Our $1 million donation will help teachers make more happen in classrooms across the country and contribute to a fulfilling learning experience.”
Katy Perry said, “The response from my fans when I teamed up with Staples in 2014 for The Prismatic World Tour was eye-opening. I learned firsthand how desperately teachers need our support – many of them even dig into their own pockets to provide simple tools that we would expect to already be available in our classrooms. So when Staples approached me again this year, I jumped at the opportunity because I saw the lasting effect our collaboration had on DonorsChoose.org and thousands of teachers and students. I believe in education as a foundation for a great life. I’m continuing my education now as I travel the world, but I didn’t have that foundation in my own childhood, so I want to make sure that students across the country are inspired by their teachers and afforded every opportunity to realize their dreams.”
Driven by a staggering statistic from the Education Market Association that an estimated 99.5% of all public school teachers use their own money to equip their classrooms – frequently at a cost of more than $400 per year – Staples takes great pride in helping to alleviate some of the pressure placed upon teachers. Katy Perry and Staples will also collaborate to create a Public Service Announcement that will debut nationwide in June, further increasing visibility around the need to help teachers.
"We’re so thankful for the continued, and incredibly generous, support from Staples and its loyal customers, which has helped bring classroom dreams to life for thousands of teachers and students,” said Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org. “We're also delighted to have Katy Perry lending her voice, calling on the public to help classrooms in need in communities nationwide."
Learn more about Katy Perry teaming up with Staples to help teachers and classrooms at StaplesforStudents.org.
Win a $50,000 scholarship and the chance to
meet Katy Perry
Starting June 26, fans will have the
opportunity to enter the ‘Staples for Students’ Sweepstakes for a chance
to win a $50,000 scholarship. The grand prize winner – in addition to
four lucky first prize winners and one guest each – will also win travel
to Los Angeles, where they’ll attend an exclusive VIP Winners
Celebration with Katy Perry.
Visit staples.com/staplesforstudents starting June 26 to learn about entry into the sweepstakes and for the rules. Entries must be submitted before September 10, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET and entrants must be 13 years or older.
About Staples, Inc.
Staples
retail stores and Staples.com help small business customers make more
happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded business
services and easy ways to shop, all backed with a lowest price
guarantee. Staples
offers businesses the convenience to shop and buy how and when they want
- in store, online, via mobile or though social apps. Staples.com
customers can either buy online and pick-up in store or ship for free
from Staples.com with Staples Rewards minimum purchase. Expanded
services also make it easy for businesses to succeed with in-store
Business Centers featuring shipping services and products, copying,
scanning, faxing and computer work stations, Tech Services, full-service
Print & Marketing Services, Staples Merchant Services, small business
lending and credit services.
Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., helps mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized customers make more happen by offering a curated assortment of products and services combined with deep expertise, best-in-class customer service, competitive pricing and state-of-the art-ecommerce site. Staples Business Advantage is the one-source solution for all things businesses need to succeed, including office supplies, facilities cleaning and maintenance, breakroom snacks and beverages, technology, furniture, interior design and Print & Marketing Services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (NASDAQ: 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 program that helps students and
teachers with the school supplies and essential items needed to achieve
success in education. The Staples for Students campaign has included
school supply drives, support for teachers in classrooms, donations for
education projects, classroom initiatives such as Designed by Students,
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 $425 million to projects that inspire them.
All told, 18.2 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.
