Around The Railroad

From a Backpack Drive to Christmas Gifts

Systemwide Employees Reach Out in Their Communities

November 14, 2008 | 09:00 a.m. CST

Communities across the system are benefitting from the goodwill of UP employees. Here are a few examples:

San Antonio employees, represented largely by Employee Club 66, the Latino Employee Network (LEN) and Black Employee Network (BEN), along with family members, took part in an October walk to support a cure for juvenile diabetes. Casey Wolfe, conductor, organized the group's efforts.

BEN's Los Angeles chapter hosted its 2nd annual Back-to-School backpack drive in August at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach, Calif. The event provided children with backpacks and school supplies, and was accompanied by a barbecue, games and raffles.

General Superintendent Richard Castagna, Los Angeles Service Unit, has donated to "Shop with a Badge" for the last three years. The annual event, sponsored by the Calexico Police and Fire Departments, benefits needy kids in the Los Angeles area.

Students from low-income families, selected by their teachers, are given $100 to purchase Christmas gifts for their families. Police officers and firefighters accompany the youth on their shopping trips. Sr. Special Agent Thomas Farrell, Brawley, Calif., has participated each year.

Kansas City Service Unit conductors and brakemen distributed Operation Lifesaver brochures and mingled with more than 4,000 people visiting haunted houses in Kansas City's West Bottoms business district, an area near UP's main line. They also visited an excess of a dozen businesses in the area and spoke with media outlets covering the "haunting" event.

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.