Arizona UPS Driver Earns National Community Service Honor.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2003

After losing his brother in the Sept. 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, UPS driver Philip Manning sometimes felt resentful and uneasy while delivering packages in the Tempe, Ariz., communities that are home to many Middle Eastern refugees.

That was until Manning decided to put his assumptions aside and direct his energy and patriotism toward helping refugees of all nationalities build new lives in America.

In remembrance of his brother, Manning and his wife, Carolyn, founded the Welcome to America Project to bring tolerance, one family at a time. The project provides essentials such as furniture, clothes, household items and toys to refugees who have immigrated to the United States after fleeing their homelands.

On average, Manning and his wife donate more than 30 hours a week to the project.

"I do this to honor my brother and to show our nation's newest residents that the United States is a generous and welcoming land," said Manning, an 8-year UPS employee. "It has been exciting to see the interaction between our donors, volunteers and the recipient families. It is clear that everyone involved leaves feeling personally moved by the cause."

UPS recently recognized Manning with the prestigious Jim Casey Community Service Award. The award is named after Jim Casey, founder of UPS, and is given annually to one UPS employee who exemplifies outstanding service to the community. Manning was selected following a search for the top volunteer among thousands of UPS employees worldwide.

"Phil is uniting his community and giving many people a unique opportunity to reach out," said Mike Eskew, UPS chairman and CEO. "His determination and concern for the less fortunate is truly needed at this time. Phil exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism at UPS."

Since its inception in 2001, The Welcome to America Project has made direct deliveries of furniture and other household items to 70 families. Partnerships with refugee agency pick-ups have benefited another 14 families. This past winter, 72 families received holiday gifts of clothes and toys thanks to the group.

One of the project's greatest benefits is its ability to unite the community. Focused on staying 100 percent volunteer-run, Welcome to America relies on dozens of individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and schools to donate their time and efforts. In the past year, the project has distributed approximately $31,000 in donated items and has received support from hundreds of volunteers.

UPS supports the efforts of employees who commit their time to volunteer activities. More than 30,000 UPS employees volunteer each year through Neighbor to Neighbor, the company's corporate volunteer program. UPS began the Jim Casey Community Service Award in 1995 to further recognize an employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to helping others.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.