Led by Teens Nationwide, 5th
Annual Campaign Makes it Easy to Provide Back-to-School Supplies to
Students in Need
NEW YORK & FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 6, 2012--
DoSomething.org and Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) are teaming up with teen
actress and recording artist Bella Thorne, for the 5th annual Staples
for Students national school supply drive, to help kids in need (www.staplesforstudents.org).
The drive encourages young people to collect school supplies and drop
them off at their nearest Staples store starting July 1 through
September 15.
Actress and singer Bella Thorne promoting Staples for Students (Photo: Business Wire)
Bella will lend her impactful voice to spread the word for this
initiative through the campaign’s public service announcement (PSA) now
available online
and airing on television and radio stations starting next month.
“I’m excited to help motivate fellow teens to make a difference in their
communities,” said Bella Thorne. “There are so many kids in America who
return to school without basic school supplies, and I’m thrilled to team
up with Staples and DoSomething.org to encourage teens to lend a hand.”
To kick-start the campaign, Staples will donate $125,000 worth of school
supplies to the program this year. In addition, Staples customers can
get involved by donating $1 or more at any Staples store, with 100
percent of the proceeds benefiting local students in need. Each Staples
store will be matched to a local educational non-profit organization. DoSomething.org
and Staples will ensure that all the donations get to these partners in
time for the new school year.
Since 2008, the campaign has raised more than $2 million for hundreds of
thousands of students in need throughout the country. Past celebrity
influencers have included Jordin Sparks, Ciara, Nikki Reed and the cast
of Pretty Little Liars.
“We are truly inspired by what teens and our customers across the
country can accomplish for the millions of children unable to afford
basic school supplies,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of
retail marketing at Staples. “With help from celebrities like Bella
Thorne and support from DoSomething.org, we can send kids back to school
with the tools they need to succeed.”
The Staples for Students campaign is offering easy, innovative and new
ways for teens to get involved in this year’s programs. By visiting www.staplesforstudents.org,
teens can get all the information they need to take action.
-
Request an Action Kit: Whether it’s summer camp, summer sports
leagues, or at neighborhood block parties, students can get tips,
resources and flyers on running their own school supply drives in
their neighborhoods.
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Text SUPPLIES to 38383: Students will receive more information
on how to begin their own school supply drive or find their nearest
Staples drop-off location (standard text messaging rates apply).
-
Raise Your Hand: Starting July 1, teens can raise a virtual
hand to the cause by uploading photos and videos or sharing details
through social media. For every “hand” raised, $1 will be donated by
Staples (up to $10,000) to the cause.
“Here at DoSomething.org we don’t just say, we do,” said
Nancy Lublin, CEO and Chief Old Person at DoSomething.org. “Actions
speak louder than words, and we are determined to speak volumes when we
team up with Staples for the 5th year on a campaign that
gives young people the power to rock social change, really make a
difference among their peers and take action in their very own
communities.”
About DoSomething.org:
We love teens. They are creative, active, wired…and frustrated that our
world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and
unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a
new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a
real impact and doesn’t require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal
of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the
largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.
About Staples:
Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted
source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and
expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and
breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept
in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the
world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples
operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe,
Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and
consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information
about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.
Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staples
and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50301349&lang=en
Source: Staples
Staples
Karen Pevenstein, 508-253-0879
karen.pevenstein@staples.com
or
Carrie
McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@staples.com
