OfficeMax Encourages Communities to Support Teachers with School Supplies Through "A Day Made Better"

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on basic school supplies for their students, according to a recent study¹.To reduce the financial burdens of teacher-classroom spending, OfficeMax^® Incorporated (NYSE:OMX), a leader in office supplies, technology and services, will donate $1 million in classroom supplies through its sixth annual A Day Made Better teacher surprise events on Tuesday, October 2^nd. 

On October 2^nd, OfficeMax will surprise 1,000 teachers each with $1,000 worth of school supplies for their classrooms.  To identify recipient schools in need across the country, OfficeMax partnered with the nonprofit organization AdoptAClassroom.org.   Principals of participating schools nominated teachers that exemplify passion, dedication and innovation in the classroom. 

Back-to-school shoppers and business customers that want to help a teacher in their own local community can do so by visiting their local OfficeMax store.  Throughout September, consumers can drop off classroom supplies at specially designated containers in all OfficeMax stores.  OfficeMax will then deliver the donated supplies as an additional gift to a local school on October 2^nd as part of its A Day Made Better surprise events.

About A Day Made Better
Teachers spend approximately $1,000 out of their own pockets each year to offset school budget shortfalls and ensure that their students have the necessary classroom resources for learning².  The OfficeMax A Day Made Better program, in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, aims to help end the need for teacher-funded classrooms.

Since 2007, A Day Made Better and other OfficeMax Goodworks programs have contributed more than $18 million in grants and supplies to support more than 29,000 teachers and their classrooms. Additionally, through the annual event, OfficeMax has helped its nonprofit partner AdoptAClassroom.org secure funding for more than 78,000 classrooms nationwide.

Learn more at ADayMadeBetter.com or adopt a teacher at AdoptAClassroom.org.

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: 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 customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through e-commerce, more than 900 stores in the U.S. and Mexico, 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.

About AdoptAClassroom.org
AdoptAClassroom.org is a national, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting classroom teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to a quality education.  Since 1998, the organization has raised over $18 million on behalf of classrooms across America.  Donors form meaningful partnerships with classroom teachers and students.  Teachers benefit from the ability to purchase resources that create a more engaging learning environment, and students benefit from the knowledge that someone in the community cares about their success. To support a classroom, visit www.AdoptAClassroom.org.

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.

¹2012 AdoptAClassroom.org survey.
² 2005 National Education Association survey.  Confirmed by an OfficeMax survey of teachers in June 2009.

OfficeMax Media Contact
Nicole Miller
630.864.6069 

SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated