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