OfficeMax teams go the extra mile for Oxfam

09 April 2009

For immediate release

OfficeMax teams go the extra mile for Oxfam

Determination, weeks of training, 36 hours and a whole lot of willpower.

That’s what it took for five teams to represent OfficeMax New Zealand at the Oxfam TrailWalker event last weekend, where they attempted to walk 100 kilometres through difficult terrain and unpredictable weather.

The five teams have so far collaboratively generated over $8,000 for taking part in the 36-hour walk around Taupo. They will continue to raise money for the charity with more money expected to roll in over the next two months.

The competing teams were from OfficeMax locations in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Louisa Connor, OfficeMax Key Account Manager and a Black Soles team member from Wellington, was ecstatic to be part of the event.

“After giving it my all but not crossing the line in 2008, I was determined to finish the walk in 2009, and I did it! There’s no feeling quite like it,” she said.

“The pledges, donations and support are a major part of this and we appreciate it, as do the loads of underprivileged people that this money will go to. We’re so proud to be helping them have a better life.”

OfficeMax was represented by three teams from Auckland (3 Beauties & that Bald Guy, Team StepUp, Fallen Angels) and one from Wellington (Black Soles) and Christchurch (OfficeMax Monkees).

Paul Green, OfficeMax National Operations Manager and Oxfam TrailWalker organiser said that the teams demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to the cause.

“These people aren’t Olympic athletes; they’re ordinary people attempting to do something extraordinary for a great cause. We believe that the physical and psychological strength it takes to complete a challenge like this can only be achieved through teamwork. That’s why the whole company was behind them,” he said.

“We didn’t want to just write a cheque, OfficeMax wanted to demonstrate a genuine, personal commitment to Oxfam and the work it undertakes.”

The Oxfam Trail Walk challenged teams to walk 100 kilometres in 36 hours to raise money for the charity. It hopes to raise up to $1.3 million from the event on the weekend. This is the third consecutive year OfficeMax has entered teams.

About OfficeMax

OfficeMax is one of the top three office products companies in the world, employing 41,000 people worldwide including 900 in New Zealand.   A key global player, OfficeMax New Zealand prides itself on its local focus.

OfficeMax believes in integrity, total quality and safety. It prides itself on the depth of industry knowledge possessed by its workforce and confidently boasts the most skilled personnel in the office products industry.

OfficeMax prides itself on its commitment to stocking paper products from environmentally sustainable sources. In addition, all OfficeMax branded copy paper supplied by Mondi South Africa carries FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Chain of Custody certification.  OfficeMax also offers recycled papers from 30% to 100% Recycled Content which are manufactured using a Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) method.

OfficeMax holds the Enviro-Mark NZ Gold standard which recognises their commitment to sustainable practices.

OfficeMax is actively working toward developing good environmental practices within their organisation to enable consumers to make environmentally friendly purchasing decisions, already selling over 300 products with exceptionally high environmental credentials.

 
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