HOME DEPOT ASSOCIATES SET SAIL FOR SYDNEY
By Adnews Staff
Over 40 associates of home improvement retailer Home Depot, based in Atlanta, Georgia, will not be showing up for work the last two weeks of September. They will instead be representing their countries at the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The retailer supports athletes through its membership in the Canadian Olympic Assiciation's Career Opportunity Program in Canada and the Olympic Job Opportunities program in the U.S. Participants in the program work part-time hours but receive full-time wages and benefits to support their training. This year, 47 employees of the retailer are off to the Games; six from Canada, 35 from the U.S., three from Puerto Rico and three from Chile. A 30-second television commercial, created by the Richards Group of Dallas, Texas, is currently running nationally in English Canada, depicting the last day of work for eight Home Depot associates who were vying for a chance to compete in the Games. A second spot will debut during the Opening Ceremonies on September 15, focusing on key emotional moments from past Olympic Games. The spot includes a rendition of the children's song "If You're Happy and You Know It." Public relations for Home Depot in Canada are handled by Edelman Public Relations of Toronto.