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UP in the Community

Employee Has Passion for Special Olympics

April 11, 2008 | 10:30 a.m. CDT

Dave Lucero, locomotive engineer, El Paso, Texas, has been volunteering an estimated 100 hours a year with Special Olympics since 1995. Special Olympics Texas serves the community as advocates for people with intellectual disabilities.

Lucero is certified as a level II coach in powerlifting, and track and field. He began as a Special Olympics powerlifting coach at a local high school and now coaches the Los Tejanos Powerlifting Team, an independent team open to the entire community. Lucero serves on the training and games committees. As a director of training, he organizes the annual area competition. He also has volunteered in softball and basketball.

"Special Olympics is my passion," said Lucero. "Attend one event and you'll be hooked."

Lucero says that since many of the competitors come from low-income families, the need for financial assistance to purchase uniforms and equipment is great. Employees who want to help can send their donation to Special Olympics Texas, c/o Los Tejanos Powerlifting, Attn: Dave Lucero, 701 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas 79902.

UP in the Community highlights ways employees are donating their time and talents to make their communities better places to live and work. Employee organizations, work groups and individuals are invited to submit information on their community-service efforts. Simply provide details by filling out the  UP in the Community form accessible from Story Ideas and Comments on the Employees site homepage.

Employees donating at least 40 hours annually of their personal time to an eligible, nonprofit organization can apply for a $250 donation supporting that organization under Union Pacific's  GivePLUS program.