Staples/Do Something 101 National School Supply Drive Raises More than $750,000 for Underserved Youth

"To hear that everyone was able to band together and raise so much for children and education is truly exciting. I was so happy to be a part of this campaign," says Ciara. "There is nothing more important in a child's life than education. We need to make sure that every child has the opportunity to learn, and with the supplies and money that this campaign raised, we're helping to do just that."

At one supply drive in New York, teen volunteers worked side-by-side with Ciara and celebrities 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 generously to the opportunity to donate one dollar at any Staples store to help local not-for-profit organizations serving disadvantaged students. One-hundred-percent of donations received in Staples stores will be donated to local youth organizations.

"At DoSomething.org, we're all about giving young people easy ways to take action and give back," says DoSomething.org CEO Nancy Lublin. "Back to school is such a huge part of a teenager's life. The fact that millions of kids live in poverty and can't afford the school supplies they need really resonates with them."

"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. "The level of generosity for this school year is remarkable. 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 public service announcement (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.

About DoSomething.org:

DoSomething.org is the nation's largest organization dedicating to empowering young people to take action around any cause. By leveraging communications technologies and social media, DoSomething.org enables teens to convert their ideas and energy into positive action. The award-winning site inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Plug in at www.DoSomething.org.

About Staples:

Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2008 sales of $23 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is available at www.staples.com.

SOURCE: Staples

For Staples 
Jackie Guzman, 561-998-1995 
jguzman@tilsonpr.com 
or 
Staples 
Briana Curran, 508-253-0203 
briana.curran@staples.com 
or 
DoSomething.org 
Kevin Forsyth, 212-254-2390 x235 
kforsyth@dosomething.org