Friday, January 25, 2008

UPS company, employees and retirees are #1 nationally, pledging nearly $61 million to strengthen local communities through United Way


For the eighth consecutive year, UPS, its employees and retirees delivered record-breaking contributions and are once again United Way’s top national contributor, pledging $60.8 million during the 2007 United Way campaign for continuing support of those in need. In the 26 years UPS has supported United Way, the company and its employees have donated an astonishing $872 million.

“When Jim Casey started UPS in 1907, he established a company-wide passion for philanthropy and care for the communities that UPS delivers to on a regular basis,” said UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis. “In celebration of our centennial, we donated more hours and gave more money than ever before to United Way, honoring our roots and the thousands of communities UPS has touched over the past 100 years. We are so proud to have helped enrich the lives of others through our strong partnership with United Way.”

In addition, more than 246,000 UPS employees volunteered more than 960,000 hours of service worldwide in 2007 through the company’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor volunteer program and Global Volunteer Week. UPSers helped local communities by repairing schools, reading to children, landscaping for local organizations, assisting food banks and much more. UPS also donated loaned executives to several local United Way affiliates across the country.

UPS was also named the most socially responsible company among all companies in FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired” survey and was one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in Business Ethics magazine.

While the local figures are still being finalized, UPS Area Sales Manager Mark Cherryholmes said all indications are that giving to United Way of Summit County by UPS employees in this region are also up.

“The 26 year partnership between UPS and United Way of America has impacted countless families and communities nationwide,” said Cherryholmes. “United Way provides a seamless, efficient conduit to funnel funds and volunteers to those agencies that need them most. UPS and its employees are committed to supporting the communities we serve every day. I am proud to work for a company with a culture of philanthropy and honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Summit County.”

According to United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski, “We are so fortunate to have the generous employees of UPS supporting our community through United Way. Their employees’ philanthropy goes far beyond the financial. UPS employees participate every year in our Day of Caring volunteer event, and Mark Cherryholmes provides his time and expertise as a member of our Board of Trustees.”

“We’re very proud of our partnership with UPS,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. “Year after year, through generous gifts and significant volunteer time, UPS and its employees demonstrate a commitment to community that is second to none. In addition to being a world-class global leader in business, UPS also understands the ability of philanthropy to create success, realize positive sustainable change and ultimately improve lives.”

More than 246,000 UPS employees participated in the 2007 United Way campaign, contributing more than $52.8 million with contributions still coming in. The company matched those donations with an additional $8 million through The UPS Foundation. Overall, this is a $1 million increase over their 2006 campaign contributions and a 3% increase over goal.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or write us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect Street, P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

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