David Ragan news 2009-07-08

DAVID RAGAN AND UPS DRIVING EXPERTS TEACH CHICAGO TEENS THE RULES OF THE ROAD
A Century of Safe Driving Expertise Delivered Through Boys & Girls Clubs of America

CHICAGO, July 8, 2009 -- Before heading to Chicagoland Speedway for this weekend's NASCAR race, David Ragan made a special visit to the Logan's Square Boys and Girls Club in Chicago to speak with teens about the importance of safe driving.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, but UPS, along with the help of Ragan, are working with Chicago teens and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help change that statistic.

"We really had a fun time today meeting with the kids here in Chicago," said the driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion. "It's nice to take some time away from the track and talk with kids about safe driving. Being on the road is something that needs to be taken seriously and it's easy to get distracted when you're in the car, but you need to be really stay focused when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle."

Ragan has become a spokesperson for the UPS Foundation's Road Code program, which has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club this year to help promote safe driving to teens across the country.

The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, recently launched a national program in collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to teach the company's industry-leading safe driving techniques to teens. Based in large part on the same safety training used with UPS's own drivers, the program -- UPS Road Code -- helps young drivers learn the code for safe driving.

Thanks to a three-year, $1.5 million grant from The UPS Foundation to BGCA, an estimated 1,200 teens across ten cities, including Chicago, will participate in the UPS Road Code program. Other stops on the tour include Atlanta; Los Angeles; Dallas; Omaha, Neb.; Little Rock, Ark.; Oakland, Calif.; New York; Washington, D.C.; and New Orleans. The program is expected to roll out to additional markets in 2010.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has helped kids "BE GREAT," providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, more than 4,300 clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6 to 18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of club alumni, 57 percent said the club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta, Ga.

About The UPS Foundation
Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major areas of focus include community safety, nonprofit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability, and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2008, The UPS Foundation directed more than $100 million in philanthropy to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

-credit: ups/dr