Category: UPS Press Release

What’s the story:  A team of volunteers in Brussels led by UPSer Andrea Petersen mobilized quickly to aid a humanitarian crisis. The team is a part of Serve the City, a global movement of volunteers, active in over 50 cities around the world.

When Poland became quickly overwhelmed with refugees, Andrea and the team collected essential items ranging from medicine to blankets. With the help of UPS, they shipped 500 large boxes of essential items to Kraków, Poland to Serve the City volunteers on site.

Refugees arrive in Belgium: The Serve the City Brussels team mobilized a team who provided breakfast for refugees waiting in line throughout the night to register with local authorities. Andrea and some volunteers also joined equipped with lunch and hygiene bags to support those who were still there at lunch time.

What’s new: UPS recently launched a Green Exporters Program (GEP) to train and educate small and medium businesses who want to improve supply chain efficiencies and access new markets for sustainably sourced or produced products.

Introducing sustainable processes into logistics and supply chains is critical to ensure that global trade is part of the climate solution. UPS is helping businesses develop new technologies, practices and packaging techniques to lower emissions throughout the supply chain.

Sustainably-sourced products can include sustainable garments such as fabrics made from ecofriendly resources. Getting these green goods to new markets can be tricky, but UPS is there to help businesses navigate the process to access this $150 billion market.

Inspiring UPSers to be the change we want to see

How can you inspire a ripple effect of change? Just ask Elba Pareja-Gallagher, founder of UPS Sustainability Trailblazers. Now more than 8,200 members strong, the group works to advocate, educate and innovate for environmental, social and governance (ESG) causes around the globe.

“Change for a better future feels more attainable to me now, especially since I realized how many people share my conviction,” said Rick Bittner communications strategy manager. “Elba’s energy is contagious. It shaped how I think and inspired me to join the UPS Sustainability Trailblazers and do more.”

What’s the story: Elba has a passion for sustainability and for helping people develop their leadership skills. This enthusiasm is the foundation for the UPS Sustainability Trailblazer program – giving UPSers the tools, resources and inspiration to be agents of change.

The bigger picture: Change often starts with one person’s vision, but Elba – UPS’s sustainability director of stakeholder engagement – knows it takes a multitude of like-minded people to solve big problems.

What’s the story: Through the UPS Ignite Program, UPS has partnered with Accion to deliver $100,000 in grants to under-funded businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Accion Opportunity Fund creates an inclusive, healthy financial system by offering grants and small business loans. They also provide educational resources, coaching and support networks in English and Spanish.

Building a better world: The grants are part of a $1.25 million investment from UPS and The UPS Foundation for UPS Ignite to fund access to education, resources, networks and capital.

What’s new: UPS tractor-trailer driver Kevin Byrnes attended a White House event on expanding and improving trucking jobs Monday, April 4.

“An email comes in from the White House with a fancy invitation and it says ‘the President requests your presence,’” Kevin said. “It was just so humbling. Made me proud to be an American and to be a truck driver.”

Who is Kevin: The New Jersey resident is an America’s Road Team Captain, a distinction he earned Jan. 18 through the American Trucking Associations (ATA). As a Captain, he travels the country to talk safety and to teach about the industry.

“What an honor to be at the people’s house representing the ATA, America’s Road Team, the Teamsters, UPS and truck drivers in general,” Kevin said. “Putting us out there like this showed people a great career choice they might not be thinking of.”