EASLEY — United Way of Pickens County has been awarded $1,000 by Staples Foundation, the charitable arm of Staples Inc. under a program that lets Staples associates direct donations.

“United Way of Pickens County is excited that Staples has directed their grant to Camp iRock, our partnership with the School District of Pickens County and the Pickens County YMCA to address summer learning loss,” said Julie Capaldi, President. “We are so honored that Teresa Carroll, assistant manager of Staples in Easley, nominated Camp iRock for grant funding. It’s exciting that she shares our passion for early literacy education.”

Julie Capaldi, president of United Way of Pickens County, is present a check from Staples of Easley assistant manager Teresa Carroll and general manager Ed Meade.

The grant is part of a philanthropic initiative created by Staples Foundation which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on education or job skills. The program, called 2 Million and Change, encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising up to $25,000 per organization.

In 2014, Staples awarded more than $2.4 million in grants to 1,056 local organizations in support of education, and job skills programs, including tutoring for pediatric cancer patients, job skills development for individuals with disabilities, school supplies, mentoring and more.

“Staples Foundation is committed to encouraging associates around the globe to make a difference in their local communities and through 2 Million and Change, we enable them to directly support the programs where they can personally see the greatest need,” said Emily McCann, senior manager of community and giving for Staples, Inc.

United Way of Pickens County is about advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Their focus is on education, financial stability and community basic services-the building blocks for a good quality of life.

Staples contributes to educational and job-related community efforts with a primary focus on disadvantaged youth, from literacy and mentoring to career skills development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from Staples Foundation, the charitable arm of Staples, Inc. Through its community and giving efforts, Staples and Staples Foundation have helped more than 7,000 organizations in 26 countries.