UNITED WAY OF EASTERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY RECEIVES $11,000 FROM NATIONAL UPS FOUNDATION.

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (May 14, 2003) United Way of Eastern Fairfield County (UWEFC) recently received an $11,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the United Parcel Service. According to UWEFC President and CPO Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., the contribution was made through the Foundation's UPS/United Way Corporate Contributions Program, a nationwide company initiative to help strengthen local communities.

"Funds from the UPS Foundation help our United Way further its mission to be the leading community impact organization in Eastern Fairfield County," said Berke-Schlessel. "This contribution will provide much needed support to the many programs we fund among our community partner agencies."

The contribution to the UWEFC is one of many UPS has made in 2003 through its national partnership with the agency. Nationwide, UPS awarded $9.3 million in corporate contributions. In addition, UPS employees contributed approximately $44 million, bringing this year's company-wide United Way contribution to $53.2 million. This marks the second consecutive year UPS has exceeded $50 million in donations to the agency nationally.

Since establishing a partnership with the United Way in 1982, UPS employees and its Foundation have made combined contributions exceeding $580 million and making the company the only two-time winner of the United Way of America's 'Spirit of America' award.

For more information, visit www.community.ups.com.

United Way focuses on what matters, and builds stronger \communities by supporting nearly 80 health and human service programs that helped more than 180,000 people last year. United Way funded programs are involved in a range of critical services serving the six towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull. A complete list of local United Way partners and initiatives can be found on the website, www.thewaytocare.org.