Vanessa Williams Interview for Staples & Think It Up Helps NYC Public Schools
With NYC families going back to school this week, the announcement made by Vanessa Williams during a recent Staples event with Think It Up and Donors Choose was so touching.
Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a Staples gift card for school supplies. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own
As a parent with a child in public school, I know first hand how much students and teachers NEED this type of help. Since entering my son into the public school system, I've stayed connected with his teachers.
I've seen how it's a real struggle every school year for them to make sure the kids are equipped with supplies and resources.
A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students. Additionally, the survey revealed that 76 percent agree that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms.
After hearing the announcement, I had the chance to interview Vanessa Williams, Actress and Think It Up ambassador, to learn more about this initiative.
What motivated her to be a part of sharing the news
Vanessa Williams: Both of my parents were teachers, so I’ve seen firsthand how much teachers give to help their students achieve success.
Vanessa Williams: I’m thrilled that Think It Up, together with DonorsChoose.org and Staples, is taking this opportunity to give back to the teachers of New York City Public Schools and all of the students whose lives they will impact this school year.
But Vanessa isn't all about talk. She shared how she is personally donating her stipend, that covers her speaking at this event, to a middle school for boys so they can continue to make a positive difference in their lives.
See how a simple act of donating can make such a powerful impact in children's lives?
Staples, Inc. announced that it funded 176 local classroom projects in New York City, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping to create a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America.
This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.
Now, in New York, Staples fully funded every 9th-12th grade project on DonorsChoose.org in New York City Public Schools. More than $173,000 was donated to help 132 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped 25,858 students across 93 schools in New York City Public Schools.
The flash funding in New York is part of Staples’ $10 million pledge to Think It Up which will inspire students to pursue their passions by working on collaborative learning projects.
Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than 236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14 million students.
To help support the Think It Up movement, customers can donate one dollar at a Staples store near them.
For more information, visit - www.thinkitup.org
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32 comments
I volunteer in both of my boys classrooms and until then I had NO idea that the teachers had to buy all the supplies themselves. I don't think it's right and kudos to Staples for helping teachers out.
ReplyDeleteI try and volunteer when I get a chance and even though I complain about how expensive school supplies can be I think it's disgusting that teachers are paying for stuff out of pocket to supplement my kids learning. Makes a staples gift card for the classroom a great surprise gift!
ReplyDeleteI always try to donate school supplies when I can. They are expensive for teachers and for low income students.
ReplyDeleteIt is so insane to me that a teach should ever have to buy any supplies for her classroom. That's exactly why we need more school funding.
ReplyDeleteCompletely off topic, but i LOVE your shirt - such a pretty pattern! My mom was a teacher and it's incredible how under funded the classrooms are!
ReplyDeleteBecause of our travel, I am currently homeschooling but before that, both of my kids were in public school. I know that there are a lot of holes to fill. I used to volunteer a lot plus donated supplies. I am so pleased to hear about this initiative. My mom was a teacher and she would spend a lot of her small paycheck to buy her students supplies. And yay for Vanessa Williams putting her stipend in, as well.
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Traci
I always feel so good when I am able to donate my time or extra supplies to our school. What a great experience and Vanessa Williams is absolutely ageless too!
ReplyDelete10 million is a lot and will definitely go far. Its great that Staples has launched this initiative . Its good to see Vanessa Williams out and about once more and actively a part of this campaign
ReplyDeleteHelping our schools is always a cause I appreciate. It sounds like Staples is doing great work with Think It Up!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great initiative. Staples has always been a help to me when I was homeschooling with thier teacher discount program. I love what they're doing in public schools.
ReplyDeleteI ove the work that Staples is doing for schools. I donated!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to watching this tonight. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear about big companies like Staples that make every effort to give back to the schools. We live in a district where there just isn't much of a budget, so teachers and students struggle all year long. It's really aggravating!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Its great to see companies giving back. And getting to meet Vanessa is so exciting. She looks fantastic for her age!
ReplyDeleteThat's so wonderful that Staples is giving back so much to community schools. So many schools struggle with their skimpy budget.
ReplyDeleteI missed it. We were putting together furniture, but what a cool event!
ReplyDeleteThis is just wonderful. Great interview. I think it's so great of Staples to give back, so amazing. The struggle is so real for many. - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteWell shoot, I missed the star studded telecast. However, I support Staples and Vanessa in their efforts to fund schools and help teachers achieve their goals.
ReplyDeleteI have always love Vanessa Williams! She is a great actress.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Vanessa and she sure is putting her money where her mouth is. Kudos to her and Staples!!
ReplyDeleteI always try to donate school supplies. They are expensive for teachers and for some students who can't afford them! So helping is always my goal, every year!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing that Staples is stepping up to donate like this. I always donate extra supplies and such to my son's school so everyone has what they need.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that is a Teacher. I always buy pencils and other supplies when i see a good deal. I donate them to help the kids in her class. This is a great interview.
ReplyDeleteSchool supplies are so expensive. I'm think for older kids they don't get fully used either but we buy new ones the next school year. I love that Staples is 'giving back'.
ReplyDeleteI am super impressed with the Staples initiative. I love their Back-to-School programs and living in a low-income community I know how difficult it is for some parents to give their kids the basics.
ReplyDeleteVanessa Williams is a beautiful person, both inside and out. How cool that you got to interview her!
ReplyDeleteI love Vanessa Williams! Sounds like an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteWe need to support our nation's teacher in any way we can!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great campaign. So neat to see how strongly Vanessa Williams supports the mission too
ReplyDeleteI really think Vanessa Williams is such a wonderful lady. She has been through so much in her life and yet always comes out on top and shines.
ReplyDeleteVanessa Williams is such a beautiful and smart woman! So glad to see she is part of helping these schools. What a great cause!
ReplyDelete~Amanda
I'm so glad Staples is giving back to schools like this. With all their funding cuts, they really need it!
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