Empowering the future: a UPS employee’s 42-year legacy of giving back

At UPS, community service isn’t just something we do – it’s in our DNA. For more than four decades with the company, package handler Karen Johnson has embodied that spirit, earning UPS’s highest honor for volunteerism: the Jim Casey Community Service Award.

Karen founded Women of Brown in 2005 to help students in Memphis, TN. Driven by UPS employees and their commitment to their community, the nonprofit provides career opportunities, school supplies and scholarships to empower the next generation.

Watch Karen’s story:

“This year, hundreds of inspiring individuals were nominated for the award, making it an incredible challenge to select just one winner,” said Darrell Ford, UPS’s Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “But Karen’s impact stood out – symbolizing how one person’s selflessness can create extraordinary change.”

“UPS has amplified my impact and shown me that my commitment to my community matters,” Karen said. “[The company] has helped me grow – not just in my career, but as a person … living a life of purpose, meaning and leadership.”

Dive deeper: See how past winners Charles Ohagwu, Greg Schneider and Harry Kpoh are making lasting contributions in communities near and far.

Did you know?

• UPS has a long history of caring for and giving back to communities where our employees live and work. In 2024 alone, The UPS Foundation positively impacted over 120 million lives, and UPS employees volunteered over 1 million hours.
• Our employees aim to deliver 30 million volunteer service hours by 2030. So far, UPSers have served 28 million hours in their communities.
• We’re helping improve the well-being of 1 billion lives by 2040 – and as of 2024, we’re more than halfway to our goal.