ADDING MULTIMEDIA Staples and Katy Perry “Make Roar Happen” for Philadelphia Teachers

Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) and global pop music superstar Katy Perry continue to “Make Roar Happen” in Philadelphia, Pa. today by announcing 223 local classroom projects have been funded as part of Staples’ $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org.

Global pop star Katy Perry, center, with local teachers and students, left to right, Caitlin Matyas, Mia Vega, Jocelyn Santiago and Barbara Janas backstage at the Wells Fargo Center during her Prismatic World Tour performance on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in Philadelphia. Staples teamed up with superstar Katy Perry to "Make Roar Happen" and celebrate and support teachers during the back-to-school season by donating $1 million to DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has helped fund more than 450,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 11 million students. (Photo by Mark Stehle/Invision for Staples/AP Images)

Staples fully funded the balance of every project that was on DonorsChoose.org in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. today. This $135,581 donation helped 174 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped 23,536 students in the Philadelphia community. For example, Barbara Janas at G& Hunting Park will receive a circular teaching table so her students can interact and communicate better; and Caitlin Matyas at Arts Academy-Benjamin Rush High School will receive lab equipment like cars, ramps and photogates to help students further investigate studies in mechanics.

“I’m glad to partner with Staples on my Prismatic World Tour to raise awareness and funds for DonorsChoose.org, and to remind my fans that a small gesture can have a huge impact on the very basic materials classrooms need for teachers to help students reach their full potential,” said Katy Perry.

Staples and Katy Perry teamed up to “Make Roar Happen” and support teachers. Through the “Make Roar Happen” program, Katy Perry will help Staples raise awareness of how to help teachers with a $1 donation either in store or on Staples.com. As part of the program, Staples, the presenting sponsor of the North American leg of the Katy Perry Prismatic World Tour, donated $1 million to DonorsChoose.org, a charity which has helped fund more than 450,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 11 million students. $135,581 of that donation went to Philadelphia classrooms today.

“We are so thrilled to have Katy Perry supporting ‘Make Roar Happen’ and look forward to working together with DonorsChoose.org to ensure teachers have the supplies they need,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online marketing, Staples. “Our recent survey found almost three-quarters of parents with teens agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students so it’s imperative we support these everyday heroes.”

Additionally, the survey revealed that 76% of parents of teen students believe that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers spend an average of $408.71 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms. Customers are invited to help ‘Make Roar Happen’ for local teachers by donating $1 to DonorsChoose.org at nearby Staples stores or online at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen. The proceeds will benefit teachers in the supporters’ communities and will help fund local classroom projects listed on DonorsChoose.org.

“The tremendous support Staples and Katy Perry have provided to DonorsChoose.org through ‘Make Roar Happen’ has made a great difference in classrooms across the country,” said Charles Best, Founder and CEO, DonorsChoose.org. "We understand the financial hardships teachers in the Philadelphia area face when it comes to providing their classroom with the right resources. Thanks to Staples and Katy Perry, local teachers are able to get what they need and ‘Make Roar Happen’ in the classroom.”

Win A Trip to Meet Katy Perry

Fans have a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to meet Katy Perry and attend her concert on Sept. 19 at the Staples Center by entering the ‘Make Roar Happen’ Video Sweepstakes. Everyone is invited to create videos ‘Roaring’ about their educational goals, inspirational teachers or how education has positively affected their lives. To enter, upload your ‘Roar’ video at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen. Entries must be submitted before 11:59 PM ET on Sept. 3, and participants must be 18 years or older. Participants are encouraged to share their videos on their social channels using the hashtag #MakeRoarHappen. See official rules at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen.

Win Tickets to see Katy Perry The Prismatic World Tour Presented by Staples

Customers who spend $10 or more at any Staples store will receive a unique code(s) based on the total amount spent. Code(s) will be provided on their store receipt to enter online at Staples.com/MakeRoarHappen for a chance to win two tickets to a concert in the U.S. portion of the Katy Perry Prismatic World Tour Presented by Staples. To win tickets, participants must enter the code on their purchase receipt from June 1 to Sept. 25 at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen. See official rules at www.staples.com/makeroarhappen.

About Staples

Staples make it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Staples also offer free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

About DonorsChoose.org

Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. At this nonprofit website, teachers at half of all the public schools in America have created project requests and more than a million people have donated $240 million to projects that inspire them. All told, 11.4 million students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology and other resources that they need to learn.

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