ATLANTA, June 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE: UPS) announced today that the company has pledged to complete 20 million hours of global volunteerism and community service by the end of 2020. The goal was announced by David Abney, UPS chief operating officer and CEO-elect, at the opening day of the Points of Light National Conference on Volunteering and Service. By achieving this goal, UPS's total volunteer hours will increase more than 12% and non-profits will receive volunteer assistance valued at more than $460 million* by the end of the initiative.
"Volunteerism has always been an integral part of our company culture," said Abney. "UPS's founder Jim Casey continually advocated for employees to give back to the communities in which they live and work. Our pledge of logging 20 million hours of volunteer service by the end of 2020 reinforces our corporate giving strategy and our commitment to our volunteering and philanthropic efforts that advance and enrich communities around the world."
Each year, UPS employees, alongside their families and friends, have logged millions of hours and provided countless resources that benefit local community development, youth education, social issues and the environment. Since 2011, UPS employees have logged 5.3 million hours of employee service around the world. Through the focused 2020 agenda, UPS employees will build upon their existing volunteer efforts to continue contributing impactful service to local communities.
In addition to its volunteer pledge, The UPS Foundation last year granted more than $1 million to Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer services. As the convener of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, Points of Light mobilizes millions of people to take action in philanthropic activities that change the world. This significant grant will support Points of Light's global volunteerism efforts, which include disaster relief, veterans' services, financial literacy, economic development resources and education.
"The UPS Foundation has been working with Points of Light for more than a decade," said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. "Our programs with Points of Light have built capacity to mobilize new and existing volunteers and increased engagement with communities, businesses and non-profit organizations in volunteer leadership. Together, we are paving the way for innovation, action and impact to make a difference around the world."
For more information about UPS's corporate giving, please visit UPS.com/Foundation.
About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. 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 is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. In 2013, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $102 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.
* Source: Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2013 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, www.bls.gov/
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