Staples and Katy Perry "Make Roar Happen" for Los Angeles Music Teachers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Staples SPLS and global pop music superstar Katy Perry continue to “Make Roar Happen” in Los Angeles today by announcing that 375 Los Angeles Unified School District credentialed music teachers will each receive a $1,000 DonorsChoose.org gift card that enables music teachers to create their own custom lesson plan for students.

This Staples donation marks the first time teachers will have the opportunity to create a custom music program with guaranteed, immediate funding through DonorsChoose.org.

DonorsChoose.org is a crowd-funded nonprofit that allows teachers to submit requests for classroom materials and experiences. To date, over 1 million donors have helped fund over 450,000 classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org, benefiting more than 11 million students.

“Staples and Katy Perry have provided tremendous support for classrooms across the country through their ‘Make Roar Happen' partnership with DonorsChoose.org,” said Charles Best, Founder and CEO, DonorsChoose.org. "Thanks to Staples and Katy Perry, Los Angeles music teachers have the opportunity to transform their classrooms with new instruments, sheet music, and other resources that will inspire the city's young musicians.”

“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 which includes the $375,000 donation for Los Angeles United School District music teachers today.

“We are so thrilled to have Katy Perry supporting ‘Make Roar Happen' and look forward to working together with DonorsChoose.org to ensure that Los Angeles music teachers have the tools they need to create a unique music plan,” 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.

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.