Staples & Katy Perry “Make Roar Happen” in DC

Staples and pop icon Katy Perry roared in Washington late last month, announcing 55 local classroom projects that have been funded as part of “Make Roar Happen,” Staples’ $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org.

The single day’s $43,994 donation helped 47 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped more than 3,900 students in the DC public school district — like Ms. Lee, a teacher at Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, who will receive test prep books and flashcards for her new AP Psychology class; and Ms. Rukavina, at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, will now have classroom supplies, history books, and technology.

A handful of lucky local teachers and students also got the chance to meet Katy Perry at her DC concert.

“I’m glad to partner with Staples on my Prismatic World Tour to raise awareness and funds for DonorsChoose.org, and to remind my fans that a small gesture can have a huge impact on the very basic materials classrooms need for teachers to help students reach their full potential,” said Perry.

The initiative alluded to a recent survey that revealed teachers spend an average of $408.71 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms.

“We understand the financial hardships teachers in the Washington, DC area face when it comes to providing their classroom with the right resources,” said Charles Best, Founder and CEO, DonorsChoose.org.  “Thanks to Staples and Katy Perry, local teachers are able to get what they need and ‘Make Roar Happen’ in the classroom.”