10.01.2008 - 12:45pm ET

(CSRwire) ATLANTA,GA. - October 1, 2008 - UPS employees across the globe are rolling up their brown sleeves to do a lot more than deliver packages in October. Throughout the month, UPS employees will participate in the company’s Global Volunteer Month, giving their time, talents and hands-on support to charitable organizations in their local communities.

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

Since the program began, the number of employee volunteers has grown from 1,000 in 2003 to more than 30,000 expected to participate 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."

UPS employees can choose their own volunteer projects to support in addition to those set up by designated UPS team leaders. The activities set up by team leaders can range from handing out food at food banks to landscaping for daycare centers and schools to reading with children.

"This year we are emphasizing environmental efforts," Hamilton added. "We are encouraging employees to participate in projects such as litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling and landscape beautification. The most effective environmental project within each UPS region also will be recognized with a $10,000 grant to an environmental cause in that region."

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 programs 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 programs 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 organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.