Over 283 employees volunteer 1,391 hours of service in Singapore
Singapore, 31 October 2008 -- Today marks the culmination of the Global Volunteer Month for UPS in Singapore and across Asia Pacific. This October, UPS in Singapore mobilised over 283 employees and volunteered a total of 1,391 hours of service to charity and community work. Throughout Asia Pacific, over 3,000 UPS employees volunteered 14,000 hours of service.
Earlier in the month, 101 UPSers and family members spent two Saturday afternoons at the Lions Home for the Elders at Bedok and Toa Payoh, interacting with the residents. The team brought joy and entertainment to the residents by organising activities outside their daily routine such as a karaoke sing-along contest and a cha cha and jive dance performance.
UPS Singapore also contributed $43,689 to the renovation of the multi-purpose hall at Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled, which includes repair work on flooring, upgrading of air conditioning and installation of audio visual equipment. On October 18, the newly refurbished multi-purpose hall was unveiled during the Home's 10th anniversary celebration.
This hall is designated as a dedicated facility within the Bishan Home complex where residents can participate in structured rehabilitation programmes and recreational activities. In addition to the renovation efforts, UPS employees continue to volunteer their time and interact with the residents on a regular basis.
"UPS has a longstanding commitment to volunteerism, and we believe strongly in giving back to the communities in which we work. Here in Singapore, our employees are proud to be part of this global event, bringing cheer to the residents at Lions Home for the Elders and Bishan Home." said Mary Yeo, Managing Director of UPS Singapore.
"The idea of giving back to the community through volunteerism is something that is ingrained in the corporate culture at UPS, "said Derek Woodward, President of UPS Asia Pacific Region. "Having been in Asia for two decades now, we know how deep the needs run in this region, and we want to be able to make a difference, no matter how big or small, through our voluntary efforts."
UPS's Global Volunteer Month first began in 2003 as a seven-day community service initiative with 1,000 volunteers. This year, UPS expects to have 30,000 employees participating worldwide through volunteerism.
Local UPS employees choose their own projects in conjunction with Global Volunteer Month. In addition to the commitment from UPS Singapore, this year's program in Asia included volunteer efforts such as:
- UPS Greening Day in Hong Kong, where 80 volunteers will help New Life Farm with weeding, ploughing, fertilizing, watering, picking vegetables and making scarecrows.
- 100 UPSers cleaning, painting, repairing doors, making book shelves, providing nutritious food and organizing educational games for an elementary school in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Nearly 80 volunteers raising funds for the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the disabled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Over 320 volunteers cleaning up two lakeshore towns and participating in a brief simulation as part of the Community Forum in the Philippines.
- Providing meal services to children and the elderly of low income families, and taking orphans and disadvantaged children on an excursion to the Childrens' Museum in Seoul.
- 100 volunteers playing with and teaching children to paint in Shanghai
- 85 UPS employees in Australia volunteering time to pack toy and food Christmas hampers that will benefit disadvantaged children.
- Spending time with speech and hearing-impaired children in Taiwan, and making pop-up and audio books for the visually impaired.
- Over 80 volunteers in Thailand planting mangrove trees along the coast in Samaesarn district, and cleaning up Samaesarn Island.
- Making bamboo lanterns and offering international guides services in Tokyo. Playing baseball, soccer and other games with orphans at a children's home in Osaka.
About UPS Global Volunteers Month
UPS Global Volunteers Month is an initiative of The UPS Foundation. Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., the Foundation identifies specific areas where its support will clearly impact social issues. In May this year, The UPS Foundation made a cash donation of US$500,000 to the American Red Cross in support of Red Cross earthquake response efforts in Chengdu, and pledged an additional US$500,000 for in-kind support to aid the delivery of relief supplies. Earlier on in the month, The UPS Foundation also pledged US$200,000 to CARE, the international humanitarian organization, to support its efforts to deliver aid to Myanmar in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Nargis.
Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.
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