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Community Corner

Westminster Parents and Teens Help Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore in Need of Supplies

Westminster, MD.(July 17, 2013) – This summer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) are teaming up with teen actor Jake T. Austin, for the 6th annual Staples for Students national school supply drive, to help kids get the tools they need to build great futures. 

 

From June 30 to September 28, Staples customers can donate $1 or more at their local Staples store with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local students at the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Staples for Students school supply drive supports this mission by helping young people return to school prepared to learn and succeed.

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The local Staples store to make a donation is located at 405 North Center Street, Westminster.

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“I’m so excited to team up with Staples and Boys & Girls Clubs of America for this great cause,” said Jake T. Austin.  “I can’t imagine starting school without the right supplies, so I’m rallying fellow teens to help make a difference in their communities by making sure students have the essential supplies they need to succeed.” 

 

To kick-start the campaign, Staples will donate $125,000 worth of school supplies to the program this year.  Staples and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will ensure that all of the donations get to the local Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore in time for the new school year. Since 2008, the campaign has raised nearly $3 million for hundreds of thousands of students in need throughout the country.  Past celebrity influencers have included Jordin Sparks, Ciara, Nikki Reed, the cast of Pretty Little Liars and Bella Thorne.

 

“It’s amazing to see teens and customers rally together each year to give back to their local communities through Staples for Students,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president stores and online marketing, Staples.  “Working with Jake T. Austin and Boys & Girls Clubs, we can help ensure that students across the country start the year off right in the classroom.”

 

Teens are also encouraged to spread the word on social media.  Starting in early July, they can visit the Staples for Students Facebook page where Jake will take followers through an exciting series of interactive missions to help drive donations.  As missions are completed, teens will be rewarded with donations on their behalf to Boys & Girls Clubs, coupons for school supplies and opportunities to participate in exciting sweepstakes. 

 

There are 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs in communities nationwide serving nearly 4 million youth ages 6-18 by providing a safe and productive place for young people during the after-school timeframe. Clubs offer caring mentors and programming that help youth, many of whom come from disadvantaged circumstances, advance in the areas of education, health and wellness, and develop character and leadership skills.

 

“A core focus of our mission is to enable youth to be successful throughout school and follow a career or educational plan post-high school to become productive and responsible citizens,” said Kimberly Boyd, vice president, program training & youth development services for BGCA. “Partnerships and programs like the Staples for Students national school supply drive provide critical support for Clubs and youth so they have the resources needed to do well in school and create a path to a great future."

 

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 Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and second largest internet retailer. For 26 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 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 will next be seen starring in ABC Family’s “The Fosters,” opposite Teri Polo and Sherri Saum. The hour-long drama from executive producer Jennifer Lopez is set to premiere on June 3. On the big screen, Jake was last seen in Garry Marshall’s “New Years 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.





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