FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BURLINGAME – For its successful printer cartridge recycling program that helps the state’s schools of greatest need, Staples Inc. received a California Teachers Association State Gold Award today for outstanding support of public education in a ceremony at CTA headquarters.
The Staples award is only one of three CTA State Gold Awards for 2003. Staples has extended its “Recycle for Education” program to the end of this year.
“Our State Gold Award is our highest honor for those people, organizations or companies who show they deserve statewide recognition for being true friends of public education,” said Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 335,000-member CTA. “These three awards are well-deserved. CTA is proud to continue its partnership with Staples and its program to help fund our most needy schools.”
CTA’s partnership with Staples began last summer, with the company donating $1 to the CTA Institute for Teaching for each used inkjet and laser toner printer cartridge recycled by the public at one of the company’s 160 California stores. The first three months of the campaign alone generated $75,000 for CTA’s Institute for Teaching, which supports the union’s Schools of Greatest Need Initiative.
The CTA Schools of Greatest Need Initiative helps CTA provide additional classroom resources, teacher training and family involvement programs to improve student learning at schools where students need the most help.
A CTA State Gold Award was also given to the city of Santa Fe Springs in Los Angeles County for its extensive support of the Little Lake City School District. Also winning was the Hawthorne Rotary Club for its backing of local schools with numerous small grants that provide art and music classes, and allow students to go on field trips