Five Teachers Help Build a School in Ecuador with Support from Staples Canada and Free The Children

Teacher Appreciation Contest winners make education more accessible with Staples-funded school building project

TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Five winners in the Staples Me to We Teacher Appreciation Contest traveled to Ecuador to take part in a Staples-funded school building project. Staples Canada announced its $10,000 donation to Free The Children to help fund the school in April.  

"Every day, teachers make a significant difference in students' lives, helping them learn and grow," said Pete Gibel, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada. "We're celebrating teachers and are honoured to help them make an even greater impact on education through our Teacher Appreciation initiative."

The Staples Me to We Teacher Appreciation Contest sought to celebrate teachers who created positive social change in their school or community. The winners were announced in April. They are:

• Anick Champagne-Hickey, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Marg Graff, Almont, ON
• Michael Fuchigami, Ottawa, ON
• Michel Bouthot, Saint Lambert, QC
• Anne-Marie Robinson-Sisk, Ottawa, ON

Winners departed for a nine-day Me to We Volunteer Trip to Ecuador on August 1. Working alongside local community members, the teachers participated in a school building project for the community of Mondana. They also had the chance to connect with community members, sit with a group of skilled female artisans to learn how they generate income through traditional jewellery making, and go on an excursion through the Amazon rainforest. The teachers will share stories of their experience through personal blog posts on blog.staples.ca.

Teacher Appreciation Days
As part of Staples' ongoing efforts to acknowledge the importance of educators in the lives of Canadian students, Teachers can save even more on their back-to- school needs. Staples has 3 dedicated Teacher Appreciation Days (August 27, September 3 and 12) where teachers can save 15% off most in-store purchases, 10% off in-store electronics, plus they can save 10% on any other day between August 24- September 13 (dates differ in Quebec).

About Staples 
Staples makes 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 & Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston in the United States with offices in Toronto, Canada, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples SPLS is available at www.staples.com and www.staples.ca. 

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.