November 27, 2007 

Staples, Inc., the world's largest office products company, and NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade helped jumpstart the holiday season today by hosting a holiday party for 10 students and three families at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. The celebration was part of “Staples Holidays With D-Wade,” a community initiative and online sweepstakes that awarded more than 33 prizes to South Florida residents, including three grand-prize winners who each received a holiday family photo with Dwyane Wade.

At the holiday party, 10 members of the Boys & Girls Club of Miami had an opportunity to spend time with Dwyane Wade and have their special moment captured with a holiday photo shoot. To help make the holidays easier, Staples and D-Wade presented each student with an autographed D-Wade basketball, a $50 Staples gift card and a limited-edition Staples Easy Button™ designed by a 14-year-old, Janisha Thomas, from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City.

“The spirit of the holidays reminds us that it is better to give than receive,” said Wade. “I’m happy to team up with Staples to bring some extra holiday cheer to these South Florida children, not only through gifts but also by celebrating the season in a special way.”

The grand-prize winners of the “Staples Holidays With D-Wade” sweepstakes were treated to a family holiday photo shoot with D-Wade. Three South Florida families won the holiday photo shoot, which also included the printing of 200 personalized holiday cards courtesy of the Staples® Copy & Print Center. In addition, 30 sweepstakes participants won prizes such as a D-Wade jersey or D-Wade hat, and a $25 Staples gift card.

“The holiday party is one of many community initiatives spearheaded by Staples and Wade. Recently, the two teamed up to host a park improvement challenge that awarded nearly $60,000 in renovations to 14 local parks, including $25,000 to City Hall Park in Lauderhill, the challenge winner. In addition, Staples and Wade made going back to school easy for 30 children from the Wade’s World Foundation by hosting a back-to-school shopping spree in which Wade personally gave each student $300 to purchase school supplies at a local Staples store.

“At Staples, we’re committed to making a difference in South Florida, and working with Dwyane has allowed us to create initiatives that truly impact the community,” says Royce Reed, Staples Regional Vice President. “We’re excited about the work we’ve done together and look forward to continued success in providing South Florida children with programs that help make everyday situations ‘easy.’”