Around The Railroad

'Friend to Friend Network' Assists Employees

May 9, 2008 | 10:25 a.m. CDT

Union Pacific employees often consider themselves part of a railroad "family," there for one another when a need arises. So when an employee suffered a family medical emergency recently, coworkers rallied together and donated their vacation days so he could spend time with his family. Sixty-two days were donated in all, made possible through an agreement with the BLET.

In addition to that generous act, the employee was helped by the charitable work of the "Friend to Friend Network." Created in 2004, the Network provides monetary benefits to active and retired employees, their spouses and children who have suffered health- or dwelling- related tragedies.

Since the Friend to Friend Network is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3), any individual or organization can contribute by cash or check. Active Union Pacific employees can take advantage of payroll deduction for their monthly contributions. Individuals including retirees and spouses can take advantage of online banking and bill pay to make their monthly donations to the Friend to Friend Network. Members of Union Pacific's political action committee, the Fund for Effective Government (FFEG), are able to designate Friend to Friend as their matching gift recipient. All donations to Friend to Friend Network are tax deductible and 100% of all donations are given directly to a family in need.

Check or Money Order donations can be made payable to the Friend to Friend Network and sent to:

Friend to Friend Network
c/o Richard Baldwin – Treasurer
303 Pickwicket Drive
Conway, AR 72034

Friend to Friend Network committee members and contact information are:

• Bob Resch – president, (402) 544-5197
• Terry Wynn – first vice president, (402) 544-1015
• Bill Verhoeff – second vice president, (816) 245-2377
• Richard Baldwin – treasurer, (501) 327-1376
• Diane Huntington – secretary, (636) 586-1104
• Jim Bell – company administrator, (402) 544-5433

For more information on the Friend to Friend Network and its activities, to become an ambassador, or for an application, visit Friend to Friend Network on the Employees site.