Around The Web: UPS Donates $1 Million in Haiti Relief - NOT Offering Free Shipping

Twitter has helped spread a false rumor that UPS will be providing free shipping to Haiti for packages under 50 lbs.  To clear things up UPS has released the following statement on its UPSide Blog:

UPS Donates $1 Million to Haitian Relief – Here’s How You Can Help

The earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday delivered a devastating blow to the island nation. Disasters such as this remind us of our own vulnerability to the forces of nature. At UPS, we’re committed to delivering aid and supporting relief efforts around the world. Through The UPS Foundation, we’re giving $1 million (USD) in cash and in-kind aid to help the people of Haiti.
We’ve also noticed a surge of interest and concern online as people search for ways to help. On Twitter, some have mistakenly shared a rumor that UPS will ship for free any package under 50 lbs. to Haiti. The destruction of roads and communications networks means our own shipping services to Haiti are on hold. Rather than offer free shipping to individual donors, UPS directs its aid through relief agencies.
However, there are several options available to offer your help:

•  Aidmatrix and Gifts in Kind International accept cash gifts along with donations of goods from companies and organizations.
• The American Red Cross, CARE and UNICEF accept cash donations.

Along with aid from The UPS Foundation, we’ll also contribute our knowledge and skills to disaster response through warehouse, transportation and distribution management. UPS participates with a team of disaster-relief logistics experts through the World Food Programme’s Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs). Through LETs, we provide “loaned” logistics experts on-site to aid with disaster response. To learn more about UPS’s commitment to global disaster relief, read Mark Dicken’s interview with UPS International President Dan Brutto. (see original blog post.)