Staples, the Office Superstore,
contributes to MNEA HOPE Fund

Thanks to Missouri NEA members’ efforts, the MNEA Humanitarian Outreach for Public Education Fund received a check totaling $2,173 from Staples during the Spring Representative Assembly, April 23. This check represents $1 for each recyclable ink jet cartridge brought to a Staples Store in Missouri during the months of November and December 2004 and January 2005. $11,322 has been contributed to the Missouri NEA Charitable Fund through the “Staples Recycle for Education” program since it began in 2003.

Last year Staples presented a check for $4,735 at the R.A.

Beginning in July 2003, Missouri NEA and Staples joined forces in the Recycling for Education Project to raise money for the MNEA HOPE Fund. For every recyclable inkjet cartridge collected, Staples donates $1 to the MNEA fund. Missouri educators worked hard to get the word out about the project and set up collection boxes around the state.

The donation will be used to help Missouri children, teachers, education employees and schools with education-related needs in one of three areas:

• Hardship and special circumstances
• School-related expenses and extracurricular fees
• Natural disasters

In addition to the money being used in hardship circumstances, 11 Literacy Grants were awarded to MNEA members during the month of April for projects in Carl Junction, Columbia, Kansas City, Kearney, Mountain Grove, and St. Louis. Because of the project’s success, Staples is extending the Recycle for Education project through Dec. 31, 2005--so keep those inkjet cartridges coming. If you haven’t organized an inkjet cartridge drive, you can still do it. This is an opportunity for MNEA members to build partnerships with community businesses.

For information on how to get involved in the Recycle for Education Project, visit www.mnea.org/news/staples.htm.

Staples Teacher Rewards
Staples understands that all educators need a little help with the expenses they accumulate throughout the year. The Staples Teacher Rewards program helps teachers and education support professionals earn $10 of free merchandise for every $100 in accumulated purchases. Members of the program also receive additional product and copy-center offers. For more information on Teacher Rewards, call (888) 636-9555 or visit www.staples.com/teacherrewards.