Dwyane Wade and the City of Lauderhill Celebrate Staples Dream Park Challenge Winner at City Hall Park

Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), the world's largest office products company, and NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade today rewarded Lauderhill residents as the ultimate winners of the Staples Dream Park Challenge with a community celebration. Wade joined Broward County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., City of Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle and City of Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan, along with 200 other VIP guests and community residents, in honoring City Hall Park in Lauderhill as the grand-prize winner. "Lauderhill residents really wanted to win and they came out big,” said Wade. "From casting more than one-third of the total votes to bringing out more than 200 people at this community celebration, Lauderhill residents are just as excited to receive this award as I am to give it.” The public enjoyed the fair-like festivities with music and food. Wade spoke to the crowd, including children from a local summer camp and elected officials, about the importance of parks in fostering community spirit before presenting City and park officials with the oversized check for $25,000. "We did it,” said Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan. "Lauderhill residents rallied behind City Hall Park to help bring the $25,000 to our City. It took teamwork, but in the end we are the MVPs!” The park challenge wasn’t the only way to be a winner in the Staples Dream Park Challenge with D-Wade. Everyone who voted for a park was automatically entered to win one of 10 special prizes -- either one of five autographed Dwyane Wade jerseys or one of five spots to meet the star basketball player at today’s community event. The lucky winners who sat down with Wade for a private meet and greet were Desmond Dogan, of Pompano; Nikkey Dozier of Miami; Karmarlos Jackson of Lauderdale Lakes; Keith Tobey of Margate; and Makeba Walker of Fort Lauderdale. The Dream Park Challenge is just one of many community programs Wade and Staples have teamed up to implement in South Florida: Starting today, Staples will give away limited-edition posters of Wade to Staples customers at South Florida stores with any $50 purchase (during the six-week back-to-school drive, while supplies last at participating stores). The original watercolor by James Fiorentino, which served as the poster’s design, will be auctioned in July on radio stations WAXY and WQAM, with the proceeds donated to the Wade’s World Foundation. In August, 30 South Florida students will be treated to a back-to-school shopping spree with Dwyane at a local Staples store. "Both Staples and Dwyane Wade are committed to providing resources to those who need it most,” said Royce Reed, Staples Regional Vice President. "From educating children to supporting local parks, we are proud to have donated more than $57,000 through the Dream Park Challenge and look forward to continuing to make a difference in the South Florida community.” The Staples Dream Park Challenge with D-Wade is a park improvement initiative that was open to 14 parks located near Staples stores in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. During the challenge that occurred Feb. 15-April 12, Staples invited residents to vote for their favorite park at www.StaplesDreamPark.com. City Hall Park received the most votes (110,000 votes of the approximately 250,000 total votes cast), and will receive $25,000 for a park makeover; the other 13 parks will receive $2,500 each for improvements. Staples continues to demonstrate its commitment to South Florida by supporting grassroots community organizations near its stores. Since its first local store opening, Staples and its charitable arm, Staples Foundation For Learning, have donated $325,000 to educational non-profit and community organizations in the area. In addition, each South Florida store has adopted a local non-profit partner by contributing funds or providing much-needed support, such as office product donations. About Staples Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 74,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2006 sales of $18.2 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 1,900 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.