By the end of the summer, The UPS Foundation will have provided more than US$200,000 to charitable organizations across Canada. One of the recipients, Volunteer Canada, received a US$100,000 grant, which will provide much-needed support for multiple facets of their organization.
Volunteer Canada is the national voice for volunteerism in Canada. Since 1977, the agency has been committed to supporting volunteerism and civic participation through national initiatives and by engaging in research and training across the country. The grant will be welcomed support as Volunteer Canada develops a model detailing how to establish a local volunteer centre and launch a volunteer centre training network. Volunteer centres are crucial to the participation and success of volunteer initiatives across the country.
"This grant is a good fit for us because volunteering is at the core of UPS's values. It is part of our legacy," says Mike Tierney, UPS Canada president and chair of Volunteer Canada's Corporate Council on Volunteering, comprised of more than 20 corporate leaders committed to advancing the cause of volunteering in Canada. "Giving back to the communities where we live and work is a top priority for UPS. If we can help Volunteer Canada promote the benefits of volunteerism to individuals and organizations alike, then we are happy to support them in any way we can."
UPS employees have a strong relationship with Volunteer Canada. Most notably, Tierney, along with the other members of the Corporate Council on Volunteering, last year pledged more than 800,000 hours of employee volunteer time for an initiative called Power of the Hour. In partnership with Volunteer Canada and Getinvolved.ca, Power of the Hour is a national online campaign challenging Canadians to commit two million volunteer hours in 2010. The Council reached their goal within three months of the launch.
"I would like to thank UPS for its continued support of Volunteer Canada and commend the company for its strong commitment to the cause of volunteerism," says Ruth MacKenzie, president & CEO of Volunteer Canada. "Volunteer centres play a vital role supporting Canada's 12.5 million volunteers and the generous contribution by UPS will help build healthy, sustainable communities across the country."
Some other grants distributed by The UPS Foundation in Canada in 2011 include:
On May 5, twenty UPS employees participated in the Habitat for Humanity (H4H) Women's Build in Toronto and brought with them a US$10,000 grant to cover the participant fees. All funding received from the build went directly to building materials for homes for families in need. H4H mobilizes volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
On May 11, Odd Squad Productions (OSP) accepted a US$9,733 grant to go towards an edit suite, which will produce high-quality productions and internet broadcast capabilities to support thousands of youth in isolated towns across Canada. OSP produces internationally acclaimed award-winning documentaries, illustrating real-life stories of the pitfalls of drug use and abuse. The organization uses these films as educational tools for youth. OSP received an additional US$5,000 grant to be used towards their annual premier fundraising event, the OSP Gala which took place in June.
On June 1, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation was presented with a grant of more than US$5,000 at the UPS facility in Fraser Valley, B.C. The funds are allocated to produce an updated video for volunteer recruitment and training to inspire recruiters and volunteers, who play a vital role in the care of patients and their families.
On June 8, Canuck Place Children's Hospice accepted a US$9,590 grant at the UPS Coastal Centre in B.C. to purchase two medical beds. Canuck Place offers a comprehensive continuum of care to children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and their families, free of charge.
On June 30, YMCA in Fredericton, NB, received a US$50,000 grant to cover the cost of much needed equipment in the Early Childhood Development Centre. This equipment will be used to enhance its community programming. It is the largest grant the city of Fredericton has received from The UPS Foundation!
On July 13, Meal Exchange accepted a $15,055 US grant at the UPS Toronto facility. Meal Exchange is a youth-driven charity organized to address local hunger by mobilizing the talent and passion of students. The grant will be used towards the Trick or Eat food drive, as costumed youth will collect donations of non-perishable food items instead of candy on Halloween. Support of this initiative will help Meal Exchange improve volunteer management, leadership development and build its technological capacity.
UPS's grant program highlights the company's philosophy of striking a balance between financial contributions and hands-on volunteer hours. Organizations are nominated for grants by UPS employees and must have benefited from 50 hours of hands-on volunteering from UPS employees to qualify. UPS Canada employees volunteered over 19,000 hours to more than 260 charitable organizations across Canada in 2010.
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About The UPS Foundation
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 2010, UPS's charitable contributions totaled nearly $44.6 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 www.UPS.com.
Volunteer Canada is the national voice for volunteerism in Canada. Since 1977, the agency has been committed to supporting volunteerism and civic participation through national initiatives and by engaging in research and training across the country. The grant will be welcomed support as Volunteer Canada develops a model detailing how to establish a local volunteer centre and launch a volunteer centre training network. Volunteer centres are crucial to the participation and success of volunteer initiatives across the country.
"This grant is a good fit for us because volunteering is at the core of UPS's values. It is part of our legacy," says Mike Tierney, UPS Canada president and chair of Volunteer Canada's Corporate Council on Volunteering, comprised of more than 20 corporate leaders committed to advancing the cause of volunteering in Canada. "Giving back to the communities where we live and work is a top priority for UPS. If we can help Volunteer Canada promote the benefits of volunteerism to individuals and organizations alike, then we are happy to support them in any way we can."
UPS employees have a strong relationship with Volunteer Canada. Most notably, Tierney, along with the other members of the Corporate Council on Volunteering, last year pledged more than 800,000 hours of employee volunteer time for an initiative called Power of the Hour. In partnership with Volunteer Canada and Getinvolved.ca, Power of the Hour is a national online campaign challenging Canadians to commit two million volunteer hours in 2010. The Council reached their goal within three months of the launch.
"I would like to thank UPS for its continued support of Volunteer Canada and commend the company for its strong commitment to the cause of volunteerism," says Ruth MacKenzie, president & CEO of Volunteer Canada. "Volunteer centres play a vital role supporting Canada's 12.5 million volunteers and the generous contribution by UPS will help build healthy, sustainable communities across the country."
Some other grants distributed by The UPS Foundation in Canada in 2011 include:
On May 5, twenty UPS employees participated in the Habitat for Humanity (H4H) Women's Build in Toronto and brought with them a US$10,000 grant to cover the participant fees. All funding received from the build went directly to building materials for homes for families in need. H4H mobilizes volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.
On May 11, Odd Squad Productions (OSP) accepted a US$9,733 grant to go towards an edit suite, which will produce high-quality productions and internet broadcast capabilities to support thousands of youth in isolated towns across Canada. OSP produces internationally acclaimed award-winning documentaries, illustrating real-life stories of the pitfalls of drug use and abuse. The organization uses these films as educational tools for youth. OSP received an additional US$5,000 grant to be used towards their annual premier fundraising event, the OSP Gala which took place in June.
On June 1, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation was presented with a grant of more than US$5,000 at the UPS facility in Fraser Valley, B.C. The funds are allocated to produce an updated video for volunteer recruitment and training to inspire recruiters and volunteers, who play a vital role in the care of patients and their families.
On June 8, Canuck Place Children's Hospice accepted a US$9,590 grant at the UPS Coastal Centre in B.C. to purchase two medical beds. Canuck Place offers a comprehensive continuum of care to children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and their families, free of charge.
On June 30, YMCA in Fredericton, NB, received a US$50,000 grant to cover the cost of much needed equipment in the Early Childhood Development Centre. This equipment will be used to enhance its community programming. It is the largest grant the city of Fredericton has received from The UPS Foundation!
On July 13, Meal Exchange accepted a $15,055 US grant at the UPS Toronto facility. Meal Exchange is a youth-driven charity organized to address local hunger by mobilizing the talent and passion of students. The grant will be used towards the Trick or Eat food drive, as costumed youth will collect donations of non-perishable food items instead of candy on Halloween. Support of this initiative will help Meal Exchange improve volunteer management, leadership development and build its technological capacity.
UPS's grant program highlights the company's philosophy of striking a balance between financial contributions and hands-on volunteer hours. Organizations are nominated for grants by UPS employees and must have benefited from 50 hours of hands-on volunteering from UPS employees to qualify. UPS Canada employees volunteered over 19,000 hours to more than 260 charitable organizations across Canada in 2010.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About The UPS Foundation
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 2010, UPS's charitable contributions totaled nearly $44.6 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 www.UPS.com.
