Staples, DoSomething raise money for school supply drive

NEW YORK, N.Y. and FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Grammy winning singer-songwriter Ciara, Staples and DoSomething.org announced that the 2009 Do Something 101 national school supply drive raised more than $630,000 in customer cash donations. Combined with the company’s $125,000 contribution of school supplies, Staples customers also donated thousands of items such as notebooks, calculators and other supplies for students in need.

At one supply drive in New York, teen volunteers worked with Ciara and Chaske Spencer of Twilight and singer Leah Renee to stuff 5,000 bags with school essentials that were donated to local students. In addition, Staples customers responded to the opportunity to donate one dollar at any Staples store to help local not-for-profit organizations serving disadvantaged students. 100% of donations received in Staples stores will be donated to local youth organizations.

“Teens around the country made a difference this summer by collecting school supplies and dropping them off at Staples stores nationally,” said Demos Parneros, president of U.S. stores at Staples. “Every volunteer and contributor to Do Something 101 played a critical role in helping community youth in need get supplies that are essential to start the school year off right.”

In support of the campaign, Ciara starred in a PSA that aired on more than 9,000 television and radio stations nationwide. Staples also established a Do Something 101 Fan Page on Facebook that continues to raise awareness among the teen audience, as does the “Adopt-A-Pack” Facebook application that encourages teens to recruit their friends to donate to the cause.