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04/03/2003
Press release from: Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot Launches In-Store Awareness Campaign in Support of National Autism Month
Company Donates Additional $25,000
to the National Alliance for Autism Research
(CSRwire)
Office Depot’s point-of-purchase program provides customers throughout North
America with the opportunity to support biomedical research focusing on autism
spectrum disorders. These disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and
socioeconomic backgrounds and occur in an estimated one in every 250 births each
year.
The educational campaign, which runs through April 30, encourages customers to
donate $1, $5 or $10 to NAAR at check out. All proceeds will go to NAAR to
benefit autism research. The program also includes an awareness component, with
each store featuring informational brochures, posters and video presentations
that inform customers and employees about autism and about NAAR.
“We are excited to be partnering with Office Depot in this important initiative
that will both educate the general public about autism spectrum disorders and
accelerate the pace of research,” said Prisca Chen Marvin, Esq., president of
NAAR. “We are also grateful for the outstanding support Office Depot has given
to NAAR as we continue to search for answers to this devastating disorder.”
In addition to the point-of-purchase program in April, Office Depot will provide
NAAR with a $25,000 donation to further the advancement of autism research
projects.
“Despite the strikingly high prevalence and significant national interest in
autism, research remains considerably under funded,” said Bruce Nelson, Chairman
and CEO of Office Depot. “We are pleased to lend our support to NAAR as they
seek to find a cure for autism and improve the quality of life for those
struggling with it.”
According to NAAR, autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a
person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, or form relationships
with others. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and
severity vary from individual to individual.
Recent prevalence studies suggest that more than 1 million Americans are living
with an autism spectrum disorder, such as Asperger Syndrome, Autistic Disorder,
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not
Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or Rett Syndrome.
Few disorders are as devastating to a child and his or her family. While some
people with autism are mildly affected, most people with the condition will
require lifelong supervision and care and have severe language impairments. Many
children with autism will never be able to tell their parents they love them.
About NAAR
Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is the
first national non-governmental organization in the country dedicated to funding
and accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The
organization was established by parents of children with autism concerned about
the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has committed
more than $10 million in grants for biomedical research projects worldwide that
seek to find the causes, prevention, effective treatments and, ultimately, a
cure for autism spectrum disorders. Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the organization’s
signature fundraising and autism awareness event, which is held annually in
numerous communities across the United States. Additionally, NAAR was
instrumental in establishing the Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain
tissue donation program for autism research.
About Office Depot
No one sells more office products to more customers in more countries than
Office Depot. The Company operates under the Office Depotâ, Viking Office
Productsâ, Viking Directâ and 4Sure.comâ brand names. As of December 28, 2002,
Office Depot operated 867 office supply superstores in the United States and
Canada, in addition to a national business-to-business delivery network
supported by 24 delivery centers, more than 60 local sales offices and 13
regional call centers. Furthermore, the Company sells products and services in
20 countries outside of the United States and Canada, including 37 office supply
stores in France and 13 in Japan that are owned and operated by the Company; and
121 additional office supply stores under joint venture and licensing agreements
operating under the Office Depotâ name in seven foreign countries.
The Company also operates an award-winning U.S. Office Depot brand Web site at
www.officedepot.com where customers can access Office Depot’s low competitive
prices seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, as well as a new Spanish
language Web site at http://espanol.officedepot.com. The Company also operates
31 other Web sites in the U.S. and 14 international countries including:
Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Office Depot’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
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