HOW A TOONIE CAN CREATE A LIFETIME OF CHANGE

Staples' national fundraising campaign gears up to support Special Olympics Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Canada's leading office supply retailer kicks off the "Give a Toonie. Share a Dream." campaign tomorrow. From November 6 to 27, Canadians shopping at any of the more than 330 Staples stores in Canada can support Special Olympics athletes by making a donation in-store or online at www.staples.ca/community. The first 500 customers to donate in-store will receive a limited-edition, branded Special Olympics pin.

"It's not just about supporting those with an intellectual disability in sport, but when you make a donation to the Give a Toonie. Share a Dream. campaign, you are supporting the athletes in life skills, as well. We employ several Special Olympics athletes; they enjoy opportunities to use their newly learned social interaction abilities," says Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada.

For Special Olympics athlete, Christina Judd-Campbell, the benefits of the "Give a Toonie. Share a  Dream." campaign have been enormous. While she reads at a fourth-grade level and does math at a third-grade level, this 22-year old rhythmic gymnast is also a multi-world games gold and silver medalist. Recently named to Team Canada, she is now training to compete at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, to be held in Athens, Greece, next year. Judd-Campbell, who lives in Ottawa and works at a local Staples store, returns this year as the ambassador for the campaign, now in its 11th year.

"Staples Canada, our associates and our loyal customers, share in our belief that sport can bring about positive and lasting changes to the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability, their families and their communities," says Deborah Bright, president and CEO of Special Olympics Canada. "The support we receive through Give a Toonie. Share a Dream. enables us to continue offering quality sport programs that will ultimately lead to a better quality of life."

This year's fundraising goal is $400,000. Since its inception in 2001, contributions have exceeded $3.5-million, to become the single largest corporate fundraising campaign for Special Olympics Canada. Throughout the 22-day campaign, Staples stores across Canada will also hold fun events for associates and customers to raise funds for local Special Olympics clubs and programs. 

About Special Olympics Canada

Dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport, this national, not-for-profit organization provides training and competition opportunities to more than 34,000 athletes of all ages and abilities through the local sport club. Special Olympics Canada also benefits from an extensive network of more than 16,400 volunteers, which includes more than 13,000 trained coaches. For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca or call toll-free, 1-888-888-0608.

About Staples Canada

Founded in Toronto in 1991, Staples Canada Inc. is Canada's largest everyday low price supplier of office supplies, business machines, office furniture and business services for the small business and home office customer. The chain operates stores in all provinces across Canada under the banners Staples^® Canada and Bureau en Gros^MC. Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2009 Corporate Reputation Survey ranked Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros in the top five. The company has over 13,500 employees serving customers through more than 330 office superstores, catalogue, and e-commerce. Staples/Bureau en Gros is committed to making shopping easy by offering customers three ways to shop: online, by catalogue and in-store. More information is available at www.staples.ca.

For further information:

For media and event related questions, please contact:

Rachel Swiednicki
Staples Canada
905-737-114, ext. 2714
[email protected]

Susana Petti
Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Special Olympics Canada
1-888-888-0608 or 416-927-9050, ext. x 237
[email protected]