OfficeMax Helps Deliver Hurricane Relief to Eastern Seaboard with Donation to Teachers and Free In-Store Services

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the extraordinary damage caused to the eastern seaboard by Hurricane Sandy, OfficeMax^® Incorporated OMX, a leader in office and facility supplies, technology and services, today announced it is extending support to the thousands of people still without electricity by providing free in-store charging stations, fax, scan and email services to help those affected stay connected and get back to business. Additionally, the company has partnered with nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org to launch the Hurricane Relief for Teachers (HuRT) program to help restore damaged classrooms along the east coast.

Now through the end of November, OfficeMax stores through all of New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as select locations in New Yorkⁱ and Pennsylvaniaⁱⁱ are providing free select in-store services to aid local communities in the recovery process. Services include:

• Free powering stations at OfficeMax ImPress Print Centers where customers can charge their phones, and laptops
• Free document scanning and faxing services
• Free emailing of scanned documents 

"East coast communities impacted by the hurricane are struggling to recover in light of the broad damage, power outages and devastation Hurricane Sandy brought, and as a local member of these communities we want to help," said Ravi Saligram, OfficeMax president and CEO. "Whether it's providing a warm place for customers to charge their phones or helping people to submit their insurance claims from hurricane damage, we want to be a part of the recovery process."

OfficeMax also helped AdoptAClassroom.org launch HuRT today with an immediate $10,000 donation, which the nonprofit is channeling directly to teachers across affected states to help them purchase materials for temporary classrooms where schools have been shuttered.

In addition to the $10,000 donation, now through Nov. 16 OfficeMax will match every dollar – up to $15,000 – that is donated at checkout counters of all its retail locations nationwide or through AdoptAClassroom.org/HuRT.

"Many schools across the east coast were severely damaged by the hurricane, and now teachers and administrators are working hard to relocate and reopen the schools to help bring back a sense of continuity to students and the community," said Carolynn Brooks, vice president, chief diversity officer and president of the OfficeMax Charitable Foundation.  "We feel it's important to help the school and students get back to the business of learning, and we ask that America join us by making a donation to AdoptAClassroom.org."

Since 2007, OfficeMax Goodworks programs have contributed more than $20 million in grants and supplies to support more than 30,000 teachers and their classrooms. Additionally, OfficeMax has helped AdoptAClassroom.org secure funding for more than 79,000 classrooms nationwide.

"Your support is more than a donation; it's a symbol of unity and strength for countless educators and students who need your help," said James Rosenberg, founder of AdoptAClassroom.org.  "So please join us by visiting AdoptAClassroom.org and help 'Heal the Hurt' with your much-needed donation."

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated OMX is a leader in integrating products, solutions and services for the workplace, whether for business or at home.  The OfficeMax mission is simple: We provide workplace innovation that enables our customers to work better.  The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and furniture to businesses and consumers.  OfficeMax consumers and business customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through OfficeMax.com; OfficeMaxSolutions.com and Reliable.com; more than 900 stores in the U.S. and Mexico; and direct sales and catalogs. OfficeMax has been named one of the 2012 World's Most Ethical Companies, and is the only company in the office supply industry to receive Ethics Inside^® Certification by the Ethisphere Institute.  To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX.  For more information, visit www.officemax.com.

All trademarks, service marks and trade names of OfficeMax Incorporated used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of OfficeMax Incorporated. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

ⁱElmont, Bohemia, Levittown, Lawrence, Brooklyn and Riverhead, New York
ⁱⁱFeasterville, Pennsylvania

OfficeMax Media Contact
Nicole Miller
630.864.6069
nicolemiller@officemax.com

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated