UPS SUPPORTS B.C. COMMUNITIES WITH GRANTS TOTALLING $67,500 US
The UPS Foundation presented grants to five charitable organizations
VANCOUVER, Aug. 24 /CNW/ - By the end of the summer, The UPS Foundation will have provided more than $67,500 US to five charitable organizations in British Columbia.
Today, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver (BGCGV) will receive a $50,000 US cheque which will provide much-needed support to ensure a safe and fun environment for club members.
For more than 70 years, BGCGV has provided children with positive adult role models, recreational activities and experiences that foster a sense of belonging, pride and community involvement.
BGCGV Fraserview Club located in Vancouver, has a daily attendance of approximately 150 children and a membership of 400 children from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Fraserview has served the community since 1962, and after nearly 50 years of use, the gym floor is in urgent need of repair. The $50,000 grant will be used to replace the gym floor.
"This grant aligns perfectly with our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work," says Ram Venkiteswaran, UPS Canada Director of Business Development for West Canada. "Safety is a top priority at UPS, so if we can help youth in Greater Vancouver have a safe place to play and grow, then we are happy to deliver."
UPS employees have a strong relationship with Fraserview, returning each year during Global Volunteer Month and a number of other events including: a paint party, an annual golf tournament and breakfast with Santa. In total, 41 volunteers have participated in events accumulating over 230 volunteer hours.
"We love UPS's commitment to give to communities where they live and work. What that means to us is that through this gift, thousands of kids will have access to a place to do their work: which is to play," said Carolyn Tuckwell, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver. "With a new gym floor, the Fraserview Club will be ready to welcome many more generations of kids. We know that by giving kids a safe, accessible place to play, learn and access positive adult role models, they will thrive. Thank you UPS, for investing in our kids and in our community."
The UPS Foundation presented these grants to four other charitable organizations in British Columbia:
On July 8, Nirm Blatchford, Director of Donor Development for the B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities (Easter Seals) accepted a $2,650 US grant at the UPS facility in Delta. There are three Easter Seal Camps in B.C. and they provide residential summer camp for children who have cognitive and/or physical disabilities. The grant will purchase equipment for a climbing wall for each of the B.C. camps.
On July 13, Andrew Boden, Director of the Institute for Cross-Cultural Exchange (ICE), was presented with a $5,000 US grant at the UPS facility in Fraser Valley. The grant will benefit over 1,800 Canadian children at-risk in communities by providing educational resources that will help them overcome illiteracy, appreciate cultural diversity and help realize their full potential.
On July 22, James Carruthers, Interim Executive Director of the B.C. Women's Hospital Foundation for the Mothers Milk Bank program was presented with a $4,890 US grant at the UPS facility in Richmond. This organization provides milk for approximately 500 babies across Canada. The grant will help build a website which will provide potential donors and health professionals faster, easier access to all the information they need to donate.
On August 17, Rob Rothwell, Vancouver Police Department Superintendent and upcoming President of Odd Squad Productions (OSP), and Toby Hinton, Vancouver Police Department Sergeant and Executive Director and Producer of OSP, a non-profit organization created by seven Vancouver police officers, was presented with a $5,000 US grant to help fund a hands-on project that teaches youth the truth about gangs. The grant will purchase equipment to produce handouts and help with production.
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 28,000 hours to more than 280 charitable organizations across Canada in 2009.
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 2009, UPS's charitable contributions totalled nearly $100 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 UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
For further information: Ali Duncan, UPS Canada Public Relations, (905) 676-1708, [email protected]; Dan Ovsey, APEX Public Relations, (416) 924-4442 ext. 239, [email protected]
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