The UPS Foundation Partners with HandsOn Network to Build Capacity

ATLANTA, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HandsOn Network, the volunteer arm of Points of Light Institute in the United States, announced today that it is activating two grants from The UPS Foundation designed to support its affiliates in areas directly impacted by the Gulf oil spill and build its capacity in the U.S. and internationally.

"UPS is a long-time partner of HandsOn Network, providing support that impacts both the quality and quantity of volunteer activation to address pressing community needs," said Amy Smith, president, HandsOn Network. "Recent disaster events, including the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, bring to the forefront the critical need for increased capacity at our 250 HandsOn Action Centers around the world in managing volunteer opportunities."

To support five affiliates in areas directly impacted by the Gulf oil spill, HandsOn Network is awarding $125,000 in grants. The funding, part of a $300,000 grant from The UPS Foundation one year ago, will help affiliates located in Gulf state and those supporting communities in the region become more operationally efficient. Specifically, it will provide funding for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs, Disaster Preparedness Training for nonprofits and volunteers and increase the amount of volunteer opportunities to support oil spill recovery.

Funds will also help increase capacity in communities not currently served by a HandsOn Action Center to provide tools, technical support, resources and training to increase community resiliency.

"These grants will support the region's long-term recovery from the oil spill. Our affiliates will be able to develop projects and programs that address the most pressing needs in local communities and with communities that are most vulnerable to future disasters," said Smith. "Ultimately, the goal of these funds is to increase local community recovery efforts through the effective use of volunteers while keeping national attention on the gulf oil spill."

Grantees for the 2011 UPS Foundation Gulf Oil Spill Funding include:

• HandsOn Mississippi
• HandsOn New Orleans
• HandsOn South Alabama
• United Way of South Mississippi
• Volunteer Manatee

UPS has also provided a $600,000 grant to support the Get HandsOn initiative, which will mobilize 500,000 service leaders for volunteer programs and education, and to drive the Global Engagement initiative, which will support HandsOn Networks' international expansion.

"UPS strongly believes in the power of volunteers to make significant change in our communities," said Ken Sternad, president, The UPS Foundation. "Our support will help ensure the HandsOn Network has the infrastructure to deliver consistent, high-impact volunteer service experiences."

About HandsOn Network

The volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers reaching more than 83 percent of the nation. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating meaningful change in their communities. Annually, the network delivers approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at about $600 million.

About The UPS Foundation

Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs.  Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2011, is responsible for facilitating employee involvement in the local, national and global communities.  In 2010, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $95 million in charitable giving around the world.  The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation.  To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

Contact:
Anne O'Neill
Points of Light Institute
(404) 844-5360
aoneill@pointsoflight.org

SOURCE HandsOn Network