Volunteering & Community

During October, nearly 20,000 UPS (NYSE: UPS) employees on five continents around the world will participate in the company’s 14th annual Global Volunteer Month. Employees are expected to donate 325,000 volunteer hours to more than 300 community service events taking place across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (ISMEA).

Fifteen college-bound students from three Lemont area high schools were awarded a CITGO Fueling Education Scholarship for excellence in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The students received their award from Peter Collarelli, Government and Public Affairs Manager and were recognized by their peers during a school assembly.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation and Special Olympics Arkansas took to the highways of Arkansas for the World’s Largest Truck Convoy® to help raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics’ year-round programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

From ending hunger to slowing climate change, water will play a vital role in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Find out how Xylem Watermark and its partners are working to help communities solve water-related problems around the world.

In the last 10 years, the number of forcibly displaced people in the world has increased by more than 30 percent -- from 21 million in 2005 to 65.3 million in 2015. In 2015 alone, an estimated 1.8 million individuals became refugees. As the crisis continues to expand, it's all hands on deck as government, coalitions and nonprofits work toward solutions. Recently, we've seen more companies step in to offer desperately needed products, aid and assistance. Here's a roundup of companies involved in the space.

At the end of September, members of Hotel Operations at The Palazzo participated in a volunteer event at Three Square, helping with the preparation of snacks and meals for the less fortunate. They aim to volunteer at two local organizations per year as a part of their efforts to give back.

Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup national sponsor BNSF Railway and Keep Chicago Beautiful joined with Chicago Public School District leaders, city and state elected officials, and local community organizations to dedicate two newly transformed playgrounds at Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School in the heart of the Pilsen Historic District of the Lower West Side community of Chicago.

How can people reduce the amount of food waste in their homes?

Nonprofit Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP) Inc. was founded with a mission to improve quality and access to care for people living with HIV. Through a software donation and pro bono volunteer help, SHIP is working to improve their ability to track and report on expenses and spend more time working on achieving their mission.