autism awareness month retailer

March 27, 2004

I need to make a bunch of copies this week, and had no prefernece as

to where I would make them. After reading this, I will definitely

give my support (and business) to Office Depot!

Office Depot Promotes Autism Awareness

In-Store Campaign Educates Customers & Benefits NAAR for a Second Year

26 March 2004

In honor of National Autism Awareness month in April, Office Depot,

Inc., is teaming up with the National Alliance for Autism Research

for a second year to launch an in-store awareness campaign in Office

Depot's 900 retail stores across North America.

Office Depot's point-of-purchase program provides customers with the

opportunity to support biomedical research focusing on autism

spectrum disorders. The educational campaign, which takes place in

April, 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.

" Despite the strikingly high prevalence and significant national

interest in autism, research remains considerably under funded, " said

Bruce , 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. "

NAAR's partnership with Office Depot is the result of the work of

Dianne Orr, an Office Depot employee and co-chair of the Palm

Beach/Broward Walk F.A.R. for NAAR event. Last year, she worked with

her colleagues at Office Depot and NAAR staff to bring the

organizations together. The 2003 promotion marked NAAR's first

national retail partnership.

As part of last year's campaign, Office Depot produced a video hosted

by Mr. that features employees of the company who are parents

of children with autism. The segment was used as an educational tool

for store employees and customers.

In addition, Office Depot hosted the 2003 Palm Beach/Broward Walk

F.A.R. for NAAR at the company's corporate headquarters in Delray

Beach, FL and Mr. served as honorary chair of the event.

Office Depot is a major sponsor of the Palm Beach/Broward Walk and

will host the 2004 event at their corporate headquarters for a second

consecutive year.

" We are excited to be partnering with Office Depot again in 2004 with

this important initiative that educates the general public about

autism spectrum disorders and accelerates the pace of research, " said

Prisca Chen Marvin, Esq., chair of the NAAR Board of Trustees. " We

are grateful for the outstanding support Office Depot has given to

NAAR as we continue to search for answers to this devastating

disorder. "

For more information on Office Depot, or to find a store in your

community, please visit www.officedepot.com.

March 27, 2004

OMGOSH!! How cool is this??? I don't recall seeing it here last year but

then again I wasn't in the store that much. I will definitely check it out

this time.

MISSY

SAHM to some special kids!!!

Excuse Me While I Go

Raise Tomorrow's Future.

autism awareness month retailer

> I need to make a bunch of copies this week, and had no prefernece as

> to where I would make them. After reading this, I will definitely

> give my support (and business) to Office Depot!

>

> Office Depot Promotes Autism Awareness

> In-Store Campaign Educates Customers & Benefits NAAR for a Second Year

> 26 March 2004

>

> In honor of National Autism Awareness month in April, Office Depot,

> Inc., is teaming up with the National Alliance for Autism Research

> for a second year to launch an in-store awareness campaign in Office

> Depot's 900 retail stores across North America.

>

> Office Depot's point-of-purchase program provides customers with the

> opportunity to support biomedical research focusing on autism

> spectrum disorders. The educational campaign, which takes place in

> April, 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.

>

> " Despite the strikingly high prevalence and significant national

> interest in autism, research remains considerably under funded, " said

> Bruce , 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. "

>

> NAAR's partnership with Office Depot is the result of the work of

> Dianne Orr, an Office Depot employee and co-chair of the Palm

> Beach/Broward Walk F.A.R. for NAAR event. Last year, she worked with

> her colleagues at Office Depot and NAAR staff to bring the

> organizations together. The 2003 promotion marked NAAR's first

> national retail partnership.

>

> As part of last year's campaign, Office Depot produced a video hosted

> by Mr. that features employees of the company who are parents

> of children with autism. The segment was used as an educational tool

> for store employees and customers.

>

> In addition, Office Depot hosted the 2003 Palm Beach/Broward Walk

> F.A.R. for NAAR at the company's corporate headquarters in Delray

> Beach, FL and Mr. served as honorary chair of the event.

> Office Depot is a major sponsor of the Palm Beach/Broward Walk and

> will host the 2004 event at their corporate headquarters for a second

> consecutive year.

>

> " We are excited to be partnering with Office Depot again in 2004 with

> this important initiative that educates the general public about

> autism spectrum disorders and accelerates the pace of research, " said

> Prisca Chen Marvin, Esq., chair of the NAAR Board of Trustees. " We

> are grateful for the outstanding support Office Depot has given to

> NAAR as we continue to search for answers to this devastating

> disorder. "

>

> For more information on Office Depot, or to find a store in your

> community, please visit www.officedepot.com.

>

March 27, 2004