THURSDAY: NASCAR star Tony Stewart to host "Back To School" Celebration at local Office Depot

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MEDIA ALERT

WHO:             Tony Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series(tm) champion and driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, will headline a special "Back To School Celebration" event at a local Office Depot store in Glen Allen, Virginia. Stewart will be helping Richmond-area kids begin the new school year with the tools they need to succeed.

Other special guests include:

*         Delegate Jennifer McClellan, Virginia House of Delegates
*         David Kaechele, Henrico County Supervisor, Three Chopt District
*         Rod Gordon, Community Resource Developer, Henrico County Social Services Department

Organizations scheduled to receive donations include:

*         Richmond Public Schools
*         Henrico County Public Schools
*         Comfort Zone Camp
*         Open Arms CDC
*         Richmond Hope Foundation
*         Shady Grove Family YMCA
*         William Byrd Community House

WHAT:           Stewart is partnering with Office Depot and the Office Depot Foundation for a special "Back To School Celebration" to donate book bags to Richmond-area children in need.

                        During the event, Stewart will assist the Foundation in donating 2,000 book bags to representatives from local organizations as part of the Office Depot Foundation's National Backpack Program. The Foundation donates backpacks and book bags across the United States in an effort to help kids succeed in school. This year, the Office Depot Foundation is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its National Backpack Program. Since the program began in 2001, Office Depot and the Office Depot Foundation have donated approximately 2.3 million backpacks and book bags to children in need. In 2010, Stewart will assist the Foundation in donating 300,000 backpacks and book bags nationwide.

Note to media:  These book bags are not available to the general public. The book bags are being donated only to designated non-profit organizations.

WHERE:        Office Depot
                        9700 W. Broad St.
                        Glen Allen, VA 23060

WHEN:          Thursday, September 9, 2010
*         Presentation of donations: 4:00-4:45 p.m. local time (not open to general public)
*         Autograph session w/Tony Stewart: 4:45-5:45 p.m. local time (open to general public - see details below)

NOTES:         Stewart will sign autographs for 350 fans at the event. Wristbands are required for the autograph session and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the W. Broad St. Office Depot store beginning at 9:00 a.m. local time on the day of the event only (Thursday, September 9). Fans with a wristband must be in line no later than 5:15 p.m. local time to receive an autograph.

PHOTOS:      - Stewart participating in a "Back To School Celebration" event with local children and community organizations
        - The No. 14 Office Depot show car
        - Stewart signing autographs for fans

MEDIA:          Tony Stewart will be available for one-on-one interviews at the event. Please contact Lisa Schmitz at (312) 240-2604 or lisa.schmitz@edelman.com to schedule an interview with Stewart.

CONTACT:
Lisa Schmitz
Edelman
312-240-2604 (office)
773-459-5337 (mobile)
lisa.schmitz@edelman.com