UPS launches global volunteer challenge

Neighbour to Neighbour is UPS’s employee volunteer program. The program heightens awareness for community needs, promotes the importance of volunteerism and mobilizes UPS employees and their families to serve as volunteers in their communities. The N2N Service Challenge will run from Sept. 2 to Nov. 14. As an incentive, UPS districts and regions will compete for grants from The UPS Foundation. The winners will receive grants for the non-profit organization of their choice.

“The spirit of volunteering is a part of the UPS culture, and the Service Challenge is an example of how companies can encourage their employees to take an active role in the community,” said UPS Chairman and CEO Mike Eskew. “UPS is in the community each day as part of our business, and we feel it is equally important to volunteer and contribute to the community’s overall well-being.”

The Service Challenge also will coincide with UPS’s first-ever Global Volunteer Week, another initiative aimed at increasing volunteerism around the world. From Oct. 19-26, groups of UPS employees worldwide will engage in local community activities. In fact during that week, Eskew will join other senior UPS officials in China, where they are scheduled to assist in building a new school.

“UPS recognizes the importance of working to help increase the capacity of our non-profit partners and the company realizes the impact that collaboration has on communities in need,” said Evern Cooper, president of The UPS Foundation and vice president of the company’s corporate relations initiatives. “Our employees welcome the opportunity to volunteer and share their expertise in the community.”

UPS is an active member of Business Strengthening America (BSA) and a localized effort, BSA-Atlanta. BSA is the business community’s nationwide effort to increase volunteerism in response to President Bush’s Call to Service. UPS was one of 18 companies that committed to President Bush to lead a national drive to increase volunteerism in corporate America. Last month, UPS helped BSA-Atlanta gather more than 2,000 volunteers for a 90-day service challenge.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its support will clearly impact social issues. The Foundation’s major initiatives currently include programs that support increased nationwide volunteerism, family and workplace literacy and food relief and rescue. In 2002, The UPS Foundation donated more than US$38 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit (www.community.ups.com) for more information about UPS's community involvement.

UPS is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and the company can be found on the Web at (www.ups.com.)