8.10.2005 ET

(CSRwire) ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2005--The Corporation for National and Community Service has honored UPS for its outstanding corporate citizenship and generosity with its first-ever Corporate Spirit of Service Award.

A leader in corporate service and volunteering, UPS donated nearly $40 million to the communities it served during 2004. The heart of the company's philanthropic outreach is the 'Neighbor to Neighbor'program, through which UPS's 384,000 employees volunteer to improve impoverished neighborhoods throughout the world. In addition, an internship program allows senior level executives to experience the social and economic challenges in communities by spending a month living and working at sites run by non-profit agencies.

When President Bush issued his call to service in 2002, UPS responded by becoming a founding and active member of the peer-to-peer group Business Strengthening America and has been the principal private supporter of the USA Freedom Corps website, the world's largest clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities. In addition, UPS joined the Corporation for National and Community Service in funding a landmark national study to assess the ability of our nation's charities to utilize and mobilize volunteers.

Cynthia J. Burleson, a member of the Corporation's board of directors, presented the award at the annual National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Washington, D.C., recently, noting that UPS has been in the business of philanthropy for 50 years. "UPS exemplifies the spirit of service and serves as a role model for others. UPS is a leader in defining the emerging needs of our sector."

"This award celebrates a legacy begun by our founder nearly 100 years ago and honors a tradition of community service embraced throughout our organization globally," said Evern Cooper Epps, president of The UPS Foundation. "Over the years, we have learned that businesses and nonprofit partners can share management best practices and foster innovative approaches that are critical to addressing local needs and improving our communities."

Building on its support, at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, UPS launched a new collaborative initiative called IMPACT: A Fund for Change Through Volunteerism and has committed $1 million to it over three years. The purpose of the Fund is to encourage donors to collaborate to support positive community change by helping organizations manage volunteers more effectively.

More information on the IMPACT Fund can be found at http://www.volunteerimpactfund.org.

The National Conference on Volunteering and Service is co-sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network. It's the largest gathering of leaders in the national service and volunteer networks. Through workshops, general sessions, exhibits, "town hall" gatherings, and informal get-togethers, volunteer and national service leaders share information, gain skills, and develop strategies to engage more Americans more effectively in volunteer service to meet pressing social needs.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its support will clearly impact social issues. The UPS Foundation's major initiatives currently include programs that support increased global volunteerism, literacy and hunger relief. In 2004, The UPS Foundation donated more than $39.9 million to charitable organizations worldwide.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and countries through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and to help all Americans answer the President's Call to Service. For more information, call 202-606-5000 or visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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