Teen Actor Jake T. Austin Joins Staples and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Help Kids in Need This
Teen Actor Jake T. Austin Joins Staples and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Help Kids in Need This Summer
6thAnnual Staples for Students National School Supply Drive Makes It Easy for Parents and Teens to Lend a Hand
ATLANTA & FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This summer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Staples, Inc. (NAS: SPLS) , the world's largest office products company and second largest internet retailer, 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 be successful in school and achieve great futures.
This summer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Staples 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 be successful in school and achieve great futures. (Photo: Business Wire)
Jake will be featured in the campaign's public service announcement (PSA) now available online and airing on television and radio stations starting next month.
"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."
From June 30 to September 28, Staples customers can donate $1 or more at any Staples store, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local students. Each Staples store will be matched with a local Boys & Girls Club which will receive the donation to benefit youth who attend the Club in time for the new school year. To kick-start the campaign, Staples is donating $125,000 worth of school supplies to the program this year which will be distributed to Boys & Girls Club youth in need.
Since 2008, the campaign has raised nearly $3 million for hundreds of thousands of students in need throughout the country. Past celebrity supporters 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 (NAS: 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 'Feranndo' 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.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130603005900/en/
Staples
Mark Cautela, 508-253-3832
Mark.Cautela@staples.com
or
Carrie McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@staples.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America Georgia Massachusetts
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
The article Teen Actor Jake T. Austin Joins Staples and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Help Kids in Need This Summer originally appeared on Fool.com.
Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
