These core values are reflected in numerous ways, both small and large.

After naming its first vice president of diversity in early 2002, the Company inaugurated a diversity training process that reached over 95% of its North American employees during the year. The training was designed to give employees a basis of understanding and a common language from which to enter a dialog around the often complex issues of diversity. After completing the program, individual employees viewed diversity in new ways—seeing it as an opportunity to consider new points of view, attract and retain the best and brightest talent in the marketplace and attract new customers.

Through its philanthropic programs, Office Depot touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children around the world. Its financial and in-kind contributions helped to put food on the table for hungry families, prepare youngsters for the school year with new backpacks and school supplies, provide new toys for needy children at the holidays, encourage budding entrepreneurs through classroom learning, and support researchers striving to find cures for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

Office Depot's philanthropic partnerships with nonprofit organizations resulted in the success of a number of important programs during 2002. Those partnerships and programs included City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute the world-renowned comprehensive cancer center in California.

Office Depot helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research through a fund-raising campaign, which touched the hearts of Office Depot employees everywhere. The Company expanded its partnership with Junior Achievement, which was able to introduce its programs to approximately 100,000 teachers through participation in Office Depot Back-to-School programs. Office Depot also is proud to sponsor the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame Student/Business Leader Forum and to award scholarships to make it possible for a number of deserving students to participate in this valuable event.

In addition, Office Depot assisted the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, which benefited from sales of a special commemorative stuffed bear during the holiday season. The Company's partnerships with America's Second Harvest and the Canadian Association of Food Banks resulted in thousands of new contributions in support of the fight against hunger, while Office Depot's relationship with Gifts In Kind International helped to place office supplies and equipment worth millions of dollars into the hands of well-deserving organizations.

On a local level, demonstrating the Company's dedication to serving the communities in which its employees live and work—stores, warehouses, call centers and other locations reached out to address community issues and partner with a wide range of nonprofit organizations. Everywhere that Office Depot is found, its impact is felt. From a Children's safety presentation at a store halfway across the United States or Canada, to countless fund-raising walks and runs and similar charitable events for dozens of worthy causes, employees at every level of the Company unselfishly give of their time and energy—exemplifying Office Depot's commitment to Caring and Making a Difference.

Office Depot also extends its belief in respect for humankind to the environment—continuing to be a leader in the inclusion of recycled content products in its merchandise lines and encouraging recycling efforts throughout the Company. Office Depot strongly supports each of the goals that are represented by the recycling symbol's three arrows: effective collection, the manufacture of products from recovered materials and the purchase of products made from recycled content. Office Depot believes recycling is good for our communities, good for our environment and good for our world.