United Way Recognizes UPS for Record $1 Billion in Giving to Communities with the “Thank a Driver” Campaign

ALEXANDRIA, VA (July 27, 2010) – 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 change in our communities. The company and its employees continually raise the bar for United Way’s Global Corporate Leaders and are among our most valued partners,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. “Reaching a billion dollars in giving is a remarkable milestone. It not only speaks to generosity that is second-to-none, it’s indicative of their tireless and unwavering commitment to strengthening communities and improving lives throughout the world.”
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.

2010 United Way Campaign Cabinet Announced

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County announced the cabinet members for the 2010 United Way/Community Health Charities of Nebraska Campaign.  Under the leadership of Campaign Chair, Charlie Meyer, NEBCO, Inc. & Lincoln Saltdogs, the cabinet will work to build a strong United Way presence in the community.  

Campaign cabinet members and their division responsibility include: 
Charlie Meyer, NEBCO, Inc. & Lincoln Saltdogs, Campaign Chair and Major Accounts; Jim Cada, Cada Law, Campaign Vice Chair; Curt Rohn, Union Bank & Trust Co., Coordinator Coaching & Education; Cliff Kreizel, First National Bank, Cultivation; Barry Gates, US Bank, General Accounts; Dan Mechtenberg, Black Hills Energy, General Accounts; Frank Eman, BNSF & Lincoln Central Labor Union Trustee, Labor; Dave Zeplin, Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., Leadership/Major Giving; Scott Becker, HBE Becker Meyer Love LLP, Loaned Executives; Ken VanCleave, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., New Account Development; Barry Gourley, Family Service Association of Lincoln, Non-Profit Engagement; Bryan Robertson, Juris Valuation Advisors, LLC, Professionals/Individuals; Carol Ernst, Eastmont Towers, Professionals/Individuals; Mike McCrory, State of Nebraska, Public Sector; Christine Jackson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Public Sector; Scott Nelson, UNICO Group, Inc., Tocqueville Society; Sheila Odom, Russwood Auto Center, Women in Philanthropy.

“Our goal for this year is to broaden the base of donors in the entire community. We want to increase it all - participation, United Way fund dollars, and awareness of United Way in the community,” said Charlie Meyer, 2010 Campaign Chair. 

United Way has set a goal of $5,931,557 for the 2010 campaign.

Lincoln/Lancaster County residents dug deep and gave generously to the United Way last season.

In all, the 2009 campaign raised $5.8 million -- allowing it to fund 10 new programs and three new agencies for a total of 62 programs and 42 agencies.

"It was our best year ever," said Bill Schmeeckle, 2010 president of the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County's board of directors.

While $3.7 million of the money was designated for certain programs by the donors, another $2.1 million was undesignated, allowing the United Way's Community Impact Committee to select which programs would receive a share.

Two years ago, United Way changed its format and focus for distributing funds. It leveled the funding field -- meaning everyone started at zero, regardless of how many years the agency/program had received United Way funding in the past. And, the agency narrowed its focus to services for children and families, with documentation of success.

Of the money received, 67 percent goes to programs geared toward helping children  up to age 18 succeed in school. The remaining 33 percent of undesignated funding is given to programs assisting people in crisis -- families, children and individuals.

"We feel we can make a difference by focusing on these two areas," said Mary Jo Hill, who serves on the United Way's Community Impact Committee which sets priorities in fund distribution.

Recipients of the 2009 funding receive their money July 1.

New agencies receiving funding are Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln, Lincoln Literacy Council for its English Language and Literacy program for young children of non-English speaking parents; and TeamMates mentoring program.

Among the new programs to receive United Way funds are: an ARC sibling workshop, parent support services through Cedars, a domestic violence program through El Centro, Early Head Start, two programs at the Indian Center, Academy of Rock, Head Start and an academic/substance abuse program of adolescent girls at St. Monica's.

Agencies and programs receiving funding were categorized by the ages of the children served and the types of programs, with the focus on school success.

With the funding, the United Way will help provide 1,115 preschoolers with school readiness skills, 1,058 grade school and middle school students will have mentors, 2,120 children will receive mental health support, 31,000 will receive food assistance and 600 children will receive help for abuse, Hill said.

The 2010 funding breakdown:

- Early childhood programs, $410,500
- Grade school-age programs, $503,000
- Middle school-age programs, $265,000
- High school-age programs, $146,000
- Food assistance, $111,000
- Emergency shelter, $156,500
- Victim safety, $111,000.
- United Way initiatives, $135,656. These include paying for background checks, subsidizing summer food programs, collecting data on food distribution programs, Community Learning Centers and the 211 information service for Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Reach Erin Andersen at 402-473-7217 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .