OfficeMax Teams Up with Chicago Public Schools and Pro Football Superstar Brandon Marshall to Honor Chicago Teachers

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax^® Incorporated (NYSE:OMX), with a strong business and community presence throughout the greater Chicagoland area,  today partnered with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall to surprise 100 local teachers with a $100,000 total donation in essential school supplies for their classrooms. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/AQ52284)

At this point in the school year, many teachers will step back and reassess the needs of their classroom, spending money out of their own pockets to purchase additional school supplies to ensure their students have the resources they need to get through the remainder of the year.  Today's event, part of OfficeMax's larger annual A Day Made Better program, reinforces the company's long-standing dedication to the Chicagoland community and the education of its children.   In its sixth year, the A Day Made Better program, in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, aims to help end the need for teacher-funded classrooms.

"On behalf of OfficeMax and our associates, it is my pleasure to make this donation to Chicago teachers in recognition of their important contributions and unyielding dedication in educating our children, Chicago's future workforce," said Ravi Saligram, President and CEO of OfficeMax.  "The future success of our children is one very important way to ensure this great city continues to thrive. OfficeMax is a proud member of the Chicagoland community, and we're thrilled to join Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Bears' Brandon Marshall to help us make this day even more memorable for our teachers."

"No one is more dedicated to the well-being and success of our students than their teachers, and we should recognize them every day for the work they are doing on behalf of our children," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. "That's why I am delighted to shine this spotlight on those being honored today. We are grateful to OfficeMax for recognizing these outstanding teachers and for their generous support, which will go to great use in classrooms across the city." 

To the average American teacher, "back to school" means spending approximately $1,000 out of their own pocket on essential classroom supplies¹. With the help of OfficeMax shoppers and business customers, last year OfficeMax donated $1.9 million in classroom supplies to teachers nationwide through its A Day Made Better program.  In an effort to help further ease the financial burden of teachers in Chicago, OfficeMax enlisted CPS and pro football wide receiver Brandon Marshall to help surprise the teachers with $1,000 each in essential school supplies for the classroom. 

"When I learned that teachers spend approximately $1,000 out of their own pocket on classroom supplies for their students, I immediately jumped at the chance to help OfficeMax with their A Day Made Better initiative here in Chicago," said Brandon Marshall, professional football wide receiver.  "This is my chance to give back to the city in a big way and help OfficeMax continue to do the great work they're doing to support teachers."

Since 2007, A Day Made Better and other OfficeMax Goodworks programs have contributed more than $20 million in grants and supplies to support more than 30,000 teachers and their classrooms. Additionally, OfficeMax has helped its nonprofit partner AdoptAClassroom.org secure funding for more than 79,000 classrooms nationwide.

OfficeMax also has a strong presence in the Chicagoland area, serving local businesses and consumers through an integrated sales and customer service team, nearly 40 stores and two distribution facilities in the immediate region. The company is dedicated to the growth and improvement of Chicagoland area, and is involved in the community through various activities, including the title sponsorship of the upcoming OfficeMax Hockey City Classic in February 2013.

About A Day Made Better

Teachers spend approximately $1,000 out of their own pockets each year to offset school budget shortfalls and ensure that their students have the necessary classroom resources for learning¹.  The OfficeMax A Day Made Better program, in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, aims to help end the need for teacher-funded classrooms.

Since 2007, A Day Made Better and other OfficeMax Goodworks programs have contributed more than $20 million in grants and supplies to support more than 30,000 teachers and their classrooms. Additionally, through the annual event, OfficeMax has helped its nonprofit partner AdoptAClassroom.org secure funding for more than 79,000 classrooms nationwide.

Learn more at ADayMadeBetter.com or adopt a teacher at AdoptAClassroom.org.

About OfficeMax

OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in integrating products, solutions and services for the workplace, whether for business or at home.  The OfficeMax mission is simple: We provide workplace innovation that enables our customers to work better.  The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and consumers.  OfficeMax consumers and business customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through OfficeMax.com; OfficeMaxWorkplace.com and Reliable.com; more than 900 stores in the U.S. and Mexico; and direct sales and catalogs. OfficeMax has been named one of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies, and is the only company in the office supply industry to receive Ethics Inside^® Certification by the Ethisphere Institute.  To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX.  For more information, visit OfficeMax.com.

About AdoptAClassroom.org

AdoptAClassroom.org is a national, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting classroom teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to a quality education. Since 1998, the organization has raised over $18 million on behalf of classrooms across America. Donors form meaningful partnerships with classroom teachers and students. Teachers benefit from the ability to purchase resources that create a more engaging learning environment, and students benefit from the knowledge that someone in the community cares about their success. To support a classroom, visit www.AdoptAClassroom.org.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names of OfficeMax Incorporated used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of OfficeMax Incorporated. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

¹2005 National Education Association survey. Confirmed by an OfficeMax survey of teachers in June 2009.

OfficeMax Media Contact
Nicole Miller
630.864.6069

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated

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