On Friday, Staples announced it has teamed up with pop sensation Katy Perry to help hundreds of teachers through its new 2016 student program. The company revealed that the program, which debuted earlier this year, has already fulfilled $1 million in classroom projects through DonorsChoose. Sharing more details about the program’s success so far, Frank P. Bifulco, Jr., executive vice president global marketing, at Staples, stated:
“We’re grateful to our customers and thank them for donating to the Staples for Students campaign, which helps teachers and classrooms across the country through DonorsChoose. It was a pleasure to once again team up with Katy Perry to raise awareness around this important cause and to help teachers bring learning to life for students.”
Commenting on her partnership with Staples, Perry revealed:
“Teaming up with Staples in 2014 taught me firsthand how important it is to support our nation’s teachers, and how often they are forced to dig into their own pockets to provide even the most basic school supplies for their students. It was an honor to be able to work with Staples and DonorsChoose again this year, and I am delighted that our efforts have helped pave the way for students to realize their dreams.”
Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose, added:
“We’re so grateful for Staples’ continued partnership in helping teachers and students to succeed, as well as for the support of its loyal customers and Katy Perry. This year marks the third time that we’ve worked with Staples to help teachers make more happen, and we’ve again heard directly from teachers that Staples and DonorsChoose have made a lasting impact on their classrooms.”
Perry also presented the grand prize winner of the Staples for Students Sweepstakes, Patricia O’Keefe and her son Matthew, with a $50,000 scholarship at a Winners VIP Celebration in Los Angeles on Thursday. Matthew is a senior in high school and is currently applying to colleges for enrollment in fall 2017. Four lucky first prize winners and one guest each also joined the celebration and met Perry.