UPS Employees Make a Difference at Highland Oaks Park
Volunteers Plant Trees in Support of Million Trees Miami Initiative
(MIAMI, March 31, 2014) - More than three dozen volunteers from UPS turned out to plant and mulch 75 new trees, remove invasive species and further beautify Highland Oaks Park, located at 20300 NE 24th Avenue, on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The day of service was the culmination of a $25,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS) to the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, to create a shady oasis for passive recreation, as well as a protective edge to enhance the long-term health of recently-restored wetlands adjacent to the Oleta River.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, District 4, and Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB) Chairman, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, District 9, joined Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Director Jack Kardys to thank UPS employees for their commitment to the South Florida community and the Million Trees Miami Initiative.
“UPS is truly setting an example by promoting community service as a company-wide value. We are grateful for the employees who donated their time to our parks system and The UPS Foundation for leading this corporate citizenship effort,” said Commissioner Sally A. Heyman.
“The UPS Foundation believes in assisting the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade’s efforts to support Miami-Dade Parks’ Open Space Master Plan, recreational programming, and healthy initiatives,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”
“Miami-Dade County is proud to be a beneficiary of UPS’ commitment to plant trees around the world. Because of its donation, the Million Trees Miami Initiative moves closer to its goal of a 30 percent tree canopy by 2020,” said Dennis C. Moss, CIAB Chairman.
About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. In 2013, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $102 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
About the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.com.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.