Office Depot Pledges $1 Million to Scripps Florida for Research
on Children's Neurological Diseases
The Scripps Research Institute and Office Depot, Inc., have
announced a philanthropic alliance in which Office Depot pledged
$1 million to support the Childhood Neurological Disease Research
Program at the research institute's new facility in Palm Beach
County, Florida.
The announcement makes Office Depot Scripps Florida's first
major corporate philanthropic partner.
Office Depot Chairman and CEO Bruce Nelson presented the
$1 million gift to Scripps Research President Richard A. Lerner
on April 30 at a special luncheon sponsored by the Boca Raton
Roundtable and the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
"This generous contribution from Office Depot will support
research that may lead to better health and an improved quality
of life for millions of children and adults, many of them
in developing countries around the world," Lerner said. "It
reflects the concern and good corporate citizenship of Office
Depot and promotes the mission of Scripps Florida and The
Scripps Research Institute."
Nelson added, "We are delighted to support The Scripps Research
Institute. It is a world-class research institution with an
outstanding reputation and we are extremely fortunate to have
Scripps establish a presence in Palm Beach County. The organization's
world-renowned scientists and researchers have made a profound
effect in the lives of so many around the world."
Office Depot's gift will create the Office Depot Program
in Childhood Neurological Disease Research, funding biomedical
research intended to find cures for children with neurological
diseases such as epilepsy, mental retardation, and cystic
fibrosis. Investigators Shelley Halpain and Steve Kay of the
Childhood and Neglected Diseases at Scripps Research will
be instrumental in launching the program. The gift will be
made over a period of 10 years.
An industry leader, Office Depot (NYSE:ODP) has annual sales
of nearly $12 billion. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in
Delray Beach, Florida, the company conducts business in 23
countries and employs nearly 50,000 people worldwide. According
to Nelson, the company's philanthropic mission is "caring
and making a difference."
Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu
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