NAPERVILLE, Ill., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that
teachers work hard, but many may not know how much they give
personally. Each year, teachers spend an estimated $1,000 out of their own pockets on school
supplies, according to the National Education Association.
Furthermore, OfficeMax's 2011 Teacher Appreciation Survey(1) found
that nearly seven in ten (68%) Americans had at least one
grade-school teacher who made a positive impact on their life
today. This bond is what drives the majority of parents (84%) to
show their appreciation for their child's teacher by giving
thoughtful gifts (53%), buying essential classroom supplies (43%),
or giving a gift card to a store or restaurant (24%). Other parents
choose to donate their time by volunteering (47%) in the classroom
or on field trips.
Also recognizing the dedication of teachers, OfficeMax will
celebrate teachers across the country during "Teacher Appreciation
Days" at OfficeMax retail stores on July
31 and August 1, 2011. For two
days, the first 150 teachers at each store will receive a free,
reusable tote plus 20 percent off everything the fits inside(2), a
free desk calendar filled with coupons for the year, free giveaways
from Post-It®, Sharpie®, Expo® and more, and other savings for
MaxPerks Rewards for Teachers members. Teachers can also receive 50
free, black and white, single-sided copies of their school supply
lists from OfficeMax ImPress® through September 30, 2011. To join MaxPerks Rewards for
Teachers, teachers can sign up in-store or online to earn reward
points and save year-round.
"This is a great opportunity for OfficeMax to recognize and
support teachers as they prepare to head back into the classroom,"
said Ryan Vero, executive vice
president and chief merchandising officer at OfficeMax. "Our
company is dedicated to supporting teachers and their incredible
work throughout the year, and we hope these savings will ease the
financial burden many educators face."
OfficeMax's 2011 Teacher Appreciation Survey(1) also found that
Americans recognize even more can be done by schools and parents to
help teachers do their jobs more effectively. Nearly half of
parents think that well-behaved students (54%) and students
prepared for school each day (49%) would make a difference. While,
about one in three (32%) parents believe volunteering their time
can go a long way in the classroom. Others look to the school
administration and believe having necessary school supplies (45%)
and better technology in the classroom (37%) would help teachers
succeed.
In many cases, teachers take matters into their own hands to
secure the classroom supplies they need. A majority (76%) of
Americans believe that teachers of grades K-8 typically spend their
own money to purchase classroom supplies, estimating an average of
$446 each year. Yet, many believe
teachers should not have to pay their own way. More than half (55%)
of Americans feel that the school is responsible, versus parents
and teachers, for providing each classroom with necessary
supplies.
While school budgets continue to waver and parents and teachers
continue to go above and beyond to make ends meet in the classroom,
there is no question that teachers have an enduring and positive
impact on the lives of Americans. For the 2011 back-to-school
season, OfficeMax and parents alike look forward to showing their
appreciation for teachers across the nation. To learn more about
OfficeMax's Teacher Appreciation Week, visit
www.officemax.com/home/custom.jsp?id=m6510080.
Since 2007, OfficeMax has donated more than $4 million dollars worth of school supplies to
support thousands of teachers through its national cause event, "A
Day Made Better," founded to help erase teacher-funded classrooms.
Through its partnership with nonprofit Adopt-A-Classroom, OfficeMax
has helped encourage donations to fund more than 10,000 classrooms
nationwide.
About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both
business-to-business office products solutions and retail office
products. The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our
customers do their best work. 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 individual consumers. OfficeMax
customers are served by approximately 30,000 associates through
direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and approximately 1,000 stores.
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 and its affiliates. Any other product or
company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their
respective owners.
Research Methodological Notes:
The 2011 OfficeMax Custom Survey was conducted by Kelton
Research in February 2011 using an
email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are
subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is
measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the
level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular
study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not
vary, plus or minus, by more than 2.9 percentage points from the
result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with
All persons in the universe represented by the sample.
(1) National online survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18-years
and older conducted for OfficeMax by Kelton Research during
February 2011
(2) Offer available while supplies last. Certain restrictions
apply. If supply is depleted, store will substitute tote. Offer
available to MaxPerks Rewards for Teachers members or new teacher
member sign-ups only.
OfficeMax Media Contact
Bill Bonner
630 864 6066
SOURCE OfficeMax Incorporated