How UPS is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Doing the work: Dr. King once said, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve." In the spirit of his legacy, we’re encouraging all UPS employees in the U.S. to commit to serving in honor of MLK Day.
UPS employees, alongside family and friends, have recorded nearly 26 million volunteer hours since 2011 toward our goal of 30 million hours by 2030.
Giving back: UPS has a long history of service, and it’s an important part of our core values. It means tapping into employees' skills, passion and time, as well as our logistics expertise, transportation assets and charitable donations, to make a measurable difference in society.
In 2022, we gave $8.3 million to organizations that advance civil rights, justice and equity in our communities, with an additional $25,000 to The King Center last year.
“We’re proud of our longstanding commitment to equity and economic empowerment,” said Nikki Clifton, president of social impact and The UPS Foundation. “Our work to help people and communities thrive is also an important way we are helping realize Dr. King’s dream of a more equitable and just world.”
Check out some of the ways UPSers are serving and have served in honor of Dr. King’s legacy:
In Austin, TX: On-road Supervisor Brittany Ussin is volunteering with Sunrise Community Church along with her colleagues. They’re providing food to those in need, handing out warm clothes and blankets, and cleaning up the neighborhood.
In Reno, NV: Truck driver Kevin Bean and crew are volunteering at Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society's ‘A Dream for the World’ event to honor the historical and current day significance of Dr. King’s work.
In Tempe, AZ: In partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way, Onboarding Specialist Daniel Robles is volunteering with his fellow UPSers to plant, prepare and harvest a community garden that goes toward feeding local families.
Patrick Smith is a community relations manager who organized a volunteer event at Hosea Helps, a nonprofit organization by Hosea Williams, a Civil Rights leader and strong ally of Dr. King. More than 100 Atlanta-based UPS employees helped prepare for Hosea Helps’ annual food drive.
Taj Mustapha is an account manager, and chair of UPS’s African American Business Resource Group (AABRG) Great Lakes chapter, who organized a day of service with Rainbow PUSH Coalition. UPS employees also gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School to participate in the 14th Annual Legacy March.
Jay Spooney is a training manager, and the Toledo chapter’s AABRG co-chair, who hosted a blanket drive for Rosa Parks Elementary School to help underserved communities without access to heat and proper bedding.