"A Day Made Better" 2009 Fact Sheet

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 10:00 am in respective U.S. time zones

What is “A Day Made Better?”
“A Day Made Better” is a national cause event founded by OfficeMax and nonprofit organization, Adopt-A-Classroom, to lead the fight to end teacher-funded classrooms. Annually in October, more than 3,500 OfficeMax associates surprise and honor more than 1,000 teachers at 1,000 schools across the country with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies. Nominated by their school, teacher recipients receive this honor for their exceptional contributions as an educator. The name, “A Day Made Better,” is derived from the concept that OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom can make at least one day better for teachers by providing them with essential classroom supplies. Through 1,000 simultaneous events, OfficeMax seeks to call attention to the issue of teacher out-of-pocket spending and motivate the public to take action by supporting local educators through Adopt-A-Classroom. “A Day Made Better” was first conducted in October 2007 and has since contributed to the funding of more than 10,000 classrooms.

Why is OfficeMax doing this?
“A Day Made Better” was founded in response to the fact that teachers are now spending on average $1200 out-of-pocket for necessary classroom supplies – collectively nearly $4 billion annually – to offset budget shortfalls, according to a 2005 survey by the National Education Association. Striving to erase teacher-funded classrooms, OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom are working together to create awareness and generate widespread support for teachers nationwide.

Event Overview & Schedule
1,000 teachers surprised in one day – OfficeMax associates from the local store will arrive at selected schools to meet with principals and administration. Together, they will deliver the “A Day Made Better” surprise to the selected teacher, who is presented with a large box of classroom supplies and award from OfficeMax. OfficeMax is donating the classroom supplies worth more than $1 million in sum – $1,000 per classroom.

Teacher Selection Process
Working with Adopt-A-Classroom, OfficeMax will recognize 1,000 teachers for going above and beyond in the classroom. School principals can nominate a teacher through Adopt-A-Classroom for his/her passion, innovative approach to teacher and dedication to the profession. A large majority of the selected schools will be Title I schools, defined as an “in-need school” with 40 percent (40%) or more of its student body on the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program.

Classroom Gift
Each classroom gift will include a digital camera, printer, swivel chair, and large box containing essential classroom supplies (a total donation valued at $1,000). To identify the classroom supplies needed by teachers, OfficeMax conducted research, surveying teachers and school administration on their greatest classroom needs, and these items were included in the classroom gift box. OfficeMax will also deliver special coupons and invitations to join its MaxPerks® for Teachers loyalty program to all teachers in the school.

Education Facts

How You Can Help
To show support for “A Day Made Better,” the public is invited to do the following:

Adopt-A-Classroom Affiliation
Adopt-A-Classroom (AAC) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit national organization that harnesses the resources of the community and web to enrich the classroom experience and increase the chances for teachers and students to succeed. AAC connects individual donors with specific teachers and classrooms throughout the country. One hundred percent (100%) of the donation goes directly to the teacher for purchasing the resources necessary to meet student needs in the classroom. Donors receive personal feedback from the teacher and students as well as Impact Reports that detail exactly what the teacher purchased with the donation, offering full accountability and transparency. Celebrating ten years, AAC has impacted one million students by helping fund more than 30,000 teachers and their classrooms. For more information, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

About OfficeMax’s Teacher-Support Programs
In addition to the teacher fundraiser campaign, OfficeMax offers numerous teacher-support programs such as the MaxPerks® for Teachers loyalty reward program, special annual Educator Appreciation events at all OfficeMax retail stores and a MaxPerks® recycling program for teacher-and school-based fundraising efforts.

About OfficeMax
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office equipment. The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our customers do their best work. The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPress®, technology products and solutions, and office furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses. OfficeMax customers are served by more than 30,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and more than 1,000 stores. For more information, visit OfficeMax.com.