Staples Promotional Products Opens Second Team USA Shop

Staples donated $15,000 to the “Raise Our Flag” campaign in celebration of the opening of the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) second Team USA Shop retail location in Chula Vista, California. The Raise Our Flag campaign gives supporters of the U.S. Olympic team an opportunity to buy a stitch on the flag being taken to London for the 2012 Games. In doing so, supporters help fund U.S. Olympic athletes.

Staples Promotional Products (UPIC: AMER0016) manages both the Chula Vista and Colorado Springs, Colorado, locations of the Team USA Shop, TeamUSAShop.com and the co-branded Olympic campaigns for more than 70 percent of the USOC’s sponsors.

Rich Witaszak, Staples Promotional Products vice president and general manager, says: “Staples is committed to helping the USOC raise funds for U.S. athletes not only through our donation to Raise Our Flag and our work with USOC sponsors, but primarily through the management of Team USA Shops. As U.S. athletes prepare for London and beyond, we’ll continue to provide gold-medal service at the Team USA Shops and to USOC sponsors.”

The Chula Vista location’s grand opening was marked with a “ribbon shredding” ceremony, in which Witaszak was joined by U.S. Olympic BMX athlete Arielle Martin and USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. Proceeds from Team Shop USA sales go to support the U.S. Olympic team.

“The USOC thanks Staples Promotional Products for its commitment to providing excellent service to Team USA Shop and for going above and beyond in its donation to the Raise Our Flag program,” says Peter Zeytoonjian, USOC managing director of consumer products and licensing. “We’re thrilled to have a presence in Chula Vista and believe the new store and its products will help Americans show their pride for Team USA and, in turn, help fund the training of U.S. athletes.”