30,000 UPS volunteers deliver community support

Throughout the month, UPS employees participated in the company's Global Volunteer Month, giving their time, talents and hands-on support to charitable organisations in their local communities.

Since 2003, UPS has designated a week in October as Global Volunteer Week. This year, the week was extended to a full month to enable more employees to participate. The volunteer efforts took place across the globe with UPS employees participating in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Since the programme began, the number of employee volunteers has grown from 1,000 in 2003 to more than 30,000 worldwide this year.

"UPS employees are encouraged to volunteer throughout the year, but during Global Volunteer Month there is a concentrated effort to engage as many volunteers as possible," said Lisa Hamilton, president of The UPS Foundation. "If you can get a person to come out just once and volunteer, they will experience first-hand the powers of giving back and then you've helped create a volunteer for life."

As part of Global Volunteer Month, UPS (UAE) LLC volunteers assisted with the administration for the 'Pink Walkathon', part of BurJuman's Safe & Sound breast cancer awareness campaign, before participating in the walk itself.

In addition, in conjunction with Dubai Municipality, employees across the UAE donated their time to a full day of desert clean-up operations on Hatta's sand dunes in November, in association with the Filipino Off-Road Auto Club (FORAC). To boost environmental awareness in the Emirate, UPS UAE staff removed rubbish from the desert, to help restore the natural beauty of one of Dubai's most popular tourism destinations.

"Known for synchronizing the world of commerce, UPS UAE also demonstrated the company's long-standing commitment to volunteerism by supporting Global Volunteer Month and taking part in the walk and desert clean up. Participating in various activities each year increases our level of volunteerism and community outreach," said John Tansey, country manager of UPS (UAE) LLC.

UPS's Global Volunteer Month is one of the many examples of the company's long-standing commitment to volunteerism. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen. Whether through involvement with United Way, The UPS Foundation or volunteerism, UPS provides assistance to programmes that address social and community issues including education, poverty, homelessness, hunger, illness and unemployment.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, The UPS Foundation's major initiatives include programmes that support increased global volunteerism, literacy and hunger relief. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2007, The UPS Foundation donated more than $46 million to charitable organisations worldwide. Visit www.community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.