Teachers Spend Nearly $4 Billion Annually for Classroom Supplies --
OfficeMax Mobilizes Workforce Nationwide to Draw Attention to
'Teacher-Funded Classroom' Crisis
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- This October, teachers
nationwide will be waiting in anticipation to find out if they have been
selected for a surprise visit from their local OfficeMax. OfficeMax(R)
Incorporated (NYSE: OMX), a leader in office products and services, is
announcing it will again host 'A Day Made Better' events at approximately
1,300 schools nationwide on October 1, 2008 to bring awareness to the
widespread problem of 'teacher-funded' classroom. In September, OfficeMax
will reveal the schools selected for the 'A Day Made Better' events, but
teacher selections will remain a surprise until October 1.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/officemax/34614/
OfficeMax has partnered with Adopt-A-Classroom, an innovative
not-for-profit organization supporting teachers in the classroom
(http://www.adoptaclassroom.org), to identify schools across the country,
including Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Virgin Islands, and recognize
extraordinary teachers for their dedication and innovative approach to
education. "Teachers selected will be honored with a gift donation from
OfficeMax for their classrooms valued at more than $1,000, which includes a
swivel chair and box of classroom supplies, presented by local OfficeMax
associates, school administrators and staff."
"Teachers inspire and shape our country's greatest asset, our children,
and it is astounding that they are left to cover the cost of doing a good
job," said Bob Thacker, senior vice president of marketing for OfficeMax.
"With our 'A Day Made Better' events, OfficeMax wants to inspire a national
movement of support for teachers by attracting national attention to them
on one special day and showing how easy it is to change this deplorable
situation."
According to a 2005 National Education Association (NEA) survey of more
than 3 million members, teachers spend about $1,200 of their own money each
year -- collectively nearly $4 billion annually -- to offset school budget
shortfalls and ensure that children have necessary classroom resources.
To facilitate 1,300 surprise events simultaneously, Adopt-A-Classroom
is identifying needy schools located near OfficeMax retail stores and
distribution centers to secure participation. Adopt-A-Classroom will target
Title I schools, where classroom needs are great with a significant percent
of students from low-income families. Participating school principals will
name one teacher at their school, who consistently demonstrates exceptional
dedication and innovation in teaching to be honored by 'A Day Made Better'
on October 1, 2008.
"Outside of the home, the teacher is the primary influence on our
children," said Jamie Rosenberg, Founder and Executive Director of
Adopt-A-Classroom, which raised more than $8 million to benefit classrooms
since its inception and will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year.
"Despite the fact that our country will need up to 2.4 million more
teachers by 2010, we continue to lose half of our teachers within their
first five years primarily due to lack of support. OfficeMax's 'A Day Made
Better' events will serve as a wake-up call to the country and show how
much our teachers need support now."
OfficeMax first launched 'A Day Made Better' events in October 2007,
conducting 1,000 classroom surprises across the country on one day.
Emphasizing community action, the 2007 campaign attracted media headlines
nationwide and helped Adopt-A-Classroom increase the number of classrooms
adopted for donation by more than 1,400 percent.
About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both
business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products.
The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our customers do their best work.
The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document
services through OfficeMax ImPress(R), technology products and solutions,
and furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses.
OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 32,000 associates through
direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and nearly 1,000 stores. To find the
nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX. For more information, visit
http://www.officemax.com/.
OfficeMax Media Contacts:
Bill Bonner
630 864 6066
Jennifer Rook
630 864 6057
SOURCE OfficeMax
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Related links:
http://www.officemax.com
http://www.adoptaclassroom.org
CONTACT:
Bill Bonner, +1-630-864-6066, or Jennifer
Rook, +1-630-864-6057, both of OfficeMax
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