United Way Recognizes UPS for Record $1 Billion in Giving to Communities With the 'Thank a Driver' Campaign

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, UPS and its employees and retirees will reach the exceptional milestone of $1 billion in total contributions to United Way since the company began its annual workplace campaigns in 1982. To show appreciation, United Way is leveraging traditional and social media across the country to thank UPS drivers during the week of August 2-6. Find out more at: http://liveunited.org/thanksUPS/.

"UPS is a driving force for positive change in our communities," said Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "Reaching a billion dollars in corporate giving is a remarkable milestone. In Los Angeles, UPS employees give more to our Creating Pathways Out of Poverty plan than any other company, providing evidence that being successful in business and giving back to the community can go hand in hand. We were proud to present them with our Spirit of L.A. award at this year's Corporate Philanthropy Summit."

United Way has begun celebrating UPS drivers:

• "Thanks A Billion" advertisement ran in the July 26 issue of Fortune Magazine to commemorate $1 billion in giving.
• United Way launched http://liveunited.org/thanksUPS/, dedicated to promoting UPS employees and 28 years of contributions. Visitors can take action to celebrate all that UPS drivers deliver for their communities.
• Local United Ways across the country and around the world will celebrate UPS drivers in their communities, including thanking their local UPS driver on Twitter and Facebook.

In 2009, UPS's total philanthropy reached nearly $100 million, including more than $55 million from their 2009 workplace campaign. UPS has been the top corporate giver to United Way for nine of the last 10 years. UPS employees and their families also contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service last year through the company's Global Volunteer Month and Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. UPS has twice won the United Way Spirit of America Award, United Way's highest national honor for corporate citizenship and measurable community impact.

"To my knowledge, UPS is the first company ever to have contributed $1 billion through one organization, a tremendous accomplishment both for our employees and the communities that benefit from United Way services," said The UPS Foundation President Ken Sternad. "Wherever there is a stop light or stop sign in America, there is likely a UPS driver passing by; they are part of the community, they see the needs, and they have been a key part of the $1 billion story. We appreciate the recognition that our drivers, and our company, is receiving from United Way."

UPS uses all its resources when it comes to giving back, whether it's loaning UPS executives to local United Ways, rebuilding a house in the Gulf Coast to help families still living in temporary FEMA housing after Hurricane Katrina, or donating autographed NASCAR merchandise for eBay auctions to benefit United Way.

About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network in 30 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: LIVEUNITED.org.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. 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. UPS promotes community involvement through its ongoing volunteerism and grant programs, environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy. In 2009, UPS's charitable contributions totaled nearly $100 million and UPS employees and their families contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service. The company can be found on the web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

About United Way of Greater Los Angeles

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways out of poverty by helping homeless people move into housing, providing students with the support they need to graduate high school prepared for college and the workforce, and helping hard-working families become financially stable. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information, visit www.unitedwayla.org.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Los Angeles