FORT LAUDERDALE – For its unwavering service and generous contributions, Office Depot, Inc. has been recognized by Broward Education Foundation as its Partner of the Year during the recent Broward County Public Schools Community Involvement Awards.
“Office Depot continues to be an incredible partner to us in support of our mission to transform the lives of Broward County Public School students through quality education,” said Shea Ciriago, Executive Director of Broward Education Foundation. “For their holistic approach to community investment and philanthropy and for its tremendous commitment to teachers and students in Broward County Public Schools, it is with heartfelt gratitude and extreme pride that we recognize Office Depot as our Partner of the Year. They truly are making a difference in our community.”
“The goal of #depotdifference is to bring an employee-centric, hands-on approach to empower us all to make a difference through robust employee volunteerism and philanthropic giving,” said Alex Price, National Director of Community Investment for Office Depot, Inc. “We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts as we continue to support the communities where we live and do business.”
Founded and headquartered in South Florida since 1986, Office Depot re-envisioned its commitment to the community in February of 2018 through the launch of #depotdifference. As its new community investment mission, #depotdifference places its greatest emphasis on Empowering Education, especially in its homebase communities.
As part of #depotdifference, Office Depot supported the sixth largest school district in the country in generous ways. Not only did Office Depot donate $50,000 to Broward Education Foundation’s Official Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund, the company also donated thousands more in gift cards for teachers and provided truckloads of donated school supplies in the aftermath of the tragedy.
At the start of the 2018-19 academic year, Office Depot initiated its new signature back-to-school philanthropy program called “Start Proud!” and selected Park Lakes Elementary School in Lauderdale Lakes as one of just 10 recipient schools nationwide. Through “Start Proud!,” Park Lakes Elementary and Broward Education Foundation received 2,000 backpacks fully stocked with supplies and gift cards for students and eight additional pallets of classroom supplies for teachers.
In early April 2019, Office Depot made its single largest donation of school supplies in its history to Broward Education Foundation’s School Supply Center. Seven semi-trucks with 180 pallets filled with essential products and supplies were delivered to the School Supply Center so teachers in Broward County Title I schools have what they need in their classrooms to help their students succeed. That Saturday, more than 80 Office Depot associates volunteered their time to sorting and inventorying the supplies and then stocking the shelves of the School Supply Center.
Additionally, Office Depot was a major sponsor of Broward Education Foundation’s 2019 Innovative Teacher Honors Reception which recognizes educators who have developed cutting edge curriculum proven to increase student outcomes.
“Office Depot’s commitment to educational excellence in Broward County is nothing short of amazing,” Ciriago said. “We are proud to be celebrating our 35th anniversary this year with such transformational partners as Office Depot.”
For more information about Broward Education Foundation, call 754-321-2030 or visit browardedfoundation.org.
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About the Broward Education Foundation
Celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year, the nonprofit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing support for innovative teaching to advance Pre K-12 achievement; critically needed educational materials for Title I school teachers and students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.
Most recently responding to the Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, Broward Education Foundation initiated a GoFundMe, established the official Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund and raised $10.5M for victims’ families, survivors and those impacted. Broward Education Foundation was awarded the 2018 President’s Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter for these fundraising efforts.
For more information visit www.browardedfoundation.org, email BEFInfo@browardschools.com, like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/browardeducationfoundation or follow us on twitter @BrowardEdFound.
About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading B2B integrated distribution company providing business services and supplies, products and technology solutions through its fully integrated omni-channel platform of approximately 1,350 stores, online presence, and dedicated sales professionals and technicians to small, medium and enterprise businesses. Through its banner brands Office Depot®, OfficeMax®, CompuCom® and Grand&Toy®, the company offers its customers the tools and resources they need to focus on their passion of starting, growing and running their business. For more information, visit news.officedepot.com and follow @officedepot on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, Inc. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. CompuCom is a trademark of CompuCom Systems, Inc. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. ©2019 Office Depot, Inc. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
