Thanks a Billion, UPS

Thanks a Billion, UPS

This week marks a stunning milestone for one of our partner companies.  Over the past 28 years, since they first partnered with United Way, UPS has donated an unbelievable $1 billion to improve lives and communities across the country and internationally.  Let me say that again: One Billion Dollars.  It's not often that this blog focuses on the dollar commitments of individual companies. Instead, we tend to write on progress that those dollars drive. But this landmark is truly symbolic of the commitment and conviction UPS employees and corporate offices have made, not only to the well-being of the people in their communities, but to creating real, lasting change. 

 Locally, we have long been inspired by the determination that UPS has shown in Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley.  Here are a couple of my favorite UPS stories.

Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink.
In May, after a pipe from a major water supply burst, Governor Patrick issued a boil-water order for nearly 2 million Massachusetts residents.  At United Way, we became immediately concerned for the 300 homeless families living in shelter-overflow motels in Allston Brighton, Back Bay, Brookline, Malden, Quincy and Waltham.  The motel rooms had no kitchen areas for boiling water and many were no where near grocery stores for purchasing bottled water.  By Sunday evening after the water main break, United Way had talked to Belmont Springs, which generously donated more than eight thousand bottles of water for families in need.  The next challenge was figuring out how to store and deliver the water... and that's where UPS came to the rescue.  Belmont Springs dropped the water off at the UPS headquarters in South Boston and throughout the morning on Monday, May 3, UPS helped United Way to bring water to the people and places where it was needed most.  They did so without  hesitation and with an understanding of the urgency behind the situation.  Here's more.

Powerlifting for United Way
This story comes from my colleague Erin: In 2009, Paul Lavoie, a UPS employee, decided to jumpstart his fundraising effort for United Way in an interesting way. He was going to attempt to lift more than 57,000 pounds over the course of an hour, alternating between bench press and lateral pull-down exercises. For those of you who are unfamiliar with weightlifting, this is a LOT of weight. His strategy was to do ten reps of each exercise and repeat...and repeat. Based on his predictions and with the support of his family, friends, and coworkers, he raised more than $1,000 for the United Ways of New England. Here's Erin's Post on it.

 United Way and our community owes so much to the generosity of UPS and its employees.  It's clear from this major landmark that their dedication to improving lives is felt across the country.  This week, we'd like to say, in as many ways possible:  Thank you, UPS.  Thanks a billion.

Here's how you can help:

• Participate in the Thank A Driver Campaign August 2-6: Every time you see a UPS driver, be sure to thank them for the difference they are making in our communities.
• Spread the word: Use social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to thank UPS on behalf of United Way and the countless lives they have improved.
• Sign the thank you card:http://www.groupcard.com/c/pbiG8WE2FPz and share it with your friends and social networks.
• #thanksUPS: Retweet one of our messages or create your own tweet sharing how UPS has made a difference in your community. Be sure to include the #thanksUPS hash tag so our collective thank you is heard loud and clear.