Disclaimer: Dallas Single Mom is excited to partner with Staples as we begin to prepare for Back to School. Promotional consideration was provided for the purposes of this blog post.
It’s never too early to prepare for Back to School and according to the Education Market Association approximately 99.5% of all public school teachers use their own money to equip their classrooms that can total more than $400 per year. Staples, Inc. is a part of that with their long standing commitment to supporting education and helping teachers with the help of International Pop Superstar, Katy Perry.
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR STAPLES – Global pop star Katy Perry at the #StaplesForStudents press conference on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Los Angeles. Continuing its long-standing commitment to celebrating and supporting teachers through the Staples for Students program, Staples teamed up with Katy Perry to announce a $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has funded more than 700,000 classroom projects and impacted more than 18 million students across the U.S. (Photo by Casey Rodgers/Invision for Staples/AP Images)
Staples has made a $1Million Donation to DonorsChoose.org and we hope that you can be inspired to help teachers build the superstar students of tomorrow by making donations in Staples stores or online. DonorsChoose.org was founded in 2000 and helps anyone help a classroom in need. Teachers at over 70 percent of all the public schools in America have created project requests, and more than 2 million people have donated over $425 million to projects that inspire them. It’s sort of like charitable crowdfunding where you can donate funds to a science project, reading lesson or a variety of different types of projects by teachers. Over 18 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.
“I believe in education as a foundation for a great life, so I want to make sure that students across the country are inspired by their teachers and afforded every opportunity to realize their dreams,” said Katy Perry. “When I teamed up with Staples in 2014, I learned firsthand how desperately teachers need our support – many of them even dig into their own pockets to provide simple tools that we would expect to already be available in our classrooms. So when Staples approached me again this year, I jumped at the opportunity because I saw the lasting effect our collaboration had on DonorsChoose.org and thousands of teachers and students.”
The Collaboration between Staples and Katy Perry
The PSA featuring Katy Perry highlights DonorsChoose.org, a charity that has funded more than 700,000 classroom projects for teachers and has positively affected more than 18 million students across the country – you can make a donation by visiting a local Staples store or at StaplesForStudents.org.
Executive Vice President of Staples Global Marketing, Frank P. Bifulco, Jr. says “Knowing the crucial role that teachers play in bringing learning to life for students, we’re excited to join forces with Katy Perry to raise awareness of the need to support teachers across the country. Through Staples’ $1 million donation and contributions from customers in stores and online to DonorsChoose.org during the back-to-school season, we can all help teachers make more happen in classrooms.”
Just in time for back to school nationwide, the PSA, was filmed in Los Angeles by renowned production company RSA Films. It was directed by Aya Tanimura, who has previously collaborated with Katy Perry on lyric videos for several of her hit singles including “Roar,” “Unconditionally” and “Birthday.” The script was developed by the Staples Creative Agency with input from Tanimura while animation was completed by Open The Portal.
Tanimura’s unique creative treatment for the back-to-school-inspired project incorporates stop-motion animation featuring paper cut-outs throughout the playful and colorful PSA. Katy Perry is awed as an imaginary doodle world suddenly comes to life, while she shares a personal anecdote from her time as a 4th grader in music class. Perry goes on to talk about the harsh reality that many teachers face on a daily basis, having to spend their own money to provide adequate supplies and equipment to students.
Enter to win a $50,000 Scholarship and a Chance to Meet Katy Perry
One grand prize winner will win a $50,000 scholarship plus a trip for two to Los Angeles to meet superstar, Katy Perry. Beginning June 26 through September 10, fans who spend $25 or more in any Staples store will receive a unique entry code on their receipt to enter the sweepstakes online at Staples.com/StaplesForStudents. Four first prize winners and one guest each will also win air travel to Los Angeles, two nights stay and spending money to meet Katy Perry at the VIP Winners Celebration.
All entries must be submitted before September 10, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET and entrants must be 13 years or older. Visit Staples.com/StaplesForStudents for official rules.
The Staples for Students campaign has included school supply drives, support for teachers in classrooms, donations for education projects, classroom initiatives such as Designed by Students, and the sale of products that give back to communities and classrooms in need.
Keep following Dallas Single Mom for more information on Staples Inc. “Staples for Students” program and be on the lookout for their special public service announcement with Katy Perry.
