Chuck Studebaker watched helplessly as his father, stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, became paralyzed and was unable to speak or communicate. After his father's death, Studebaker, a resident of Galloway, Ohio, dedicated himself to find a way to help other ALS patients regain communication skills. Now he is one of a handful of people who write software that works in conjunction with special input devices that allow people who are physically paralyzed to communicate with limited difficulty. He has served the cause of helping ALS patients for 24 years and volunteers about 200 hours each month.

In recognition of his service, UPS has honored him with the Jim Casey Community Service Award, named for the founder of UPS. The annual award is given to one UPS employee who exemplifies outstanding service to the community. Studebaker was selected out of 13 finalist following a search for the top volunteer among UPS's United States' employees.

Studebaker, 58, is a retired computer engineer who joined UPS two years ago and works as a part-time preloader. He is also the founder of Enhanced Life Styles (ELS), a nonprofit organization that provides professional medical information, an employment bureau, and support groups for ALS patients and their families. And, with the help of UPS's Earn and Learn program, Studebaker is pursuing a facilities management degree at Columbus State University. When he obtains the degree, his goal is to expand ELS by building a residential living center for ALS patients

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

More than 30,000 UPSers volunteer each year through Neighbor to Neighbor, the company's corporate volunteer program that is coordinated by the UPS Foundation.