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ATLANTA, March 15, 2001 — Chuck Studebaker’s quest began when his father was stricken with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. As he watched helplessly as his father lay paralyzed, unable to speak or communicate, Studebaker knew he had to do something to help other ALS patients. After his father’s death, Studebaker, of Galloway, Ohio, dedicated himself to finding a way to help ALS patients regain communication skills.

Studebaker, 58, is one of only a handful of people in the United States who develop software and special input devices to allow people who are physically paralyzed to communicate with limited difficulty. In addition to ALS patients, his software benefits individuals with aphasia, spinal cord injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis and other syndromes.

In recognition of his service, Studebaker’s employer, UPS (NYSE:UPS) has honored him with the Jim Casey Community Service Award. The Casey Award is named after Jim Casey, founder of UPS, and is given annually to one UPS employee who exemplifies outstanding service to the community. A part-time preloader at UPS, Studebaker donates about 200 hours each month to helping ALS patients. He has served the cause for the past 24 years.

“I know what patients and their loved ones are faced with when the doctor tells them ‘you have a terminal disease’,” Studebaker said. “I want to help them get through each day with the least amount of frustration and aggravation.”

Studebaker also founded Enhanced Life Styles (ELS), a non-profit organization that provides professional medical information and support groups for ALS patients and their families.

“Chuck is a true advocate for ALS patients,” said Jim Kelly, UPS chairman and CEO. “His commitment and his innovative solutions are improving the lives of these patients and their loved ones. He is a model of volunteerism for all of us at UPS.”

Studebaker, a retired computer engineer, joined UPS two years ago because the physical exercise helps him with his diabetes. Now, he says he’s in the best shape of his life and the 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. shift he works allows him to plan for his day of ELS activities. His supervisors describe him as a “father figure” for new hires, thanks to the work he does with UPS’s orientation programs. Through UPS’s Earn & Learn program, Studebaker headed back to college at Columbus State University. He is pursuing a facilities management degree.

He’ll use the degree for ELS’ next endeavor, a living center for ALS patients. The center will provide patients and their families a place for training workshops, seminars by professionals, social, and other supportive services, Studebaker said. The facility will be completely designed to meet the special needs of ALS patients, some of whom will live on-site in self-sufficient modular apartments surrounding the facility.

“I think possibly, in my lifetime, I’ll know what really caused this disease that my father had,” he said.

UPS supports the efforts of employees who commit their time to volunteer activities. More than 30,000 UPSers volunteer each year through Neighbor to Neighbor, the company’s corporate volunteer program. UPS began the Jim Casey Community Service Award in 1995 to further recognize an employee who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to helping others. Studebaker was selected out of 13 finalists following a search for the top volunteer among UPS’s U.S. employees. Studebaker received the award earlier this week at the company’s annual management conference.

UPS is the world’s largest express carrier and largest package delivery company, serving more than 200 countries and territories around the world, with 2000 revenues of $29.8 billion. Its volunteer program and community initiatives are coordinated by The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS. For more information about UPS’s community efforts, please visit UPS Community Crossroads at www.community.ups.com

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