On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, UPS presented a $6,000 grant to the NorCal AIDS Challenge (NCAC). The NCAC is an annual 4-day, 340 mile bicycle challenge. Donations raised by the NCAC go to local HIV/AIDS organizations such as Breaking Barriers, CARES, and the AIDS Housing Alliance. These great local organizations strive to educate the public about, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as provide support services for those already living with the AIDS virus.

 Northern California District Workforce Planning Specialist Elizabeth Loud has participated in the NCAC for the last five years and has seen this event grow. The first year of the NCAC attracted only 17 cyclists.  However, this year they expect about 100 participants. In addition to cyclists, there are a dedicated group of volunteers who work on the crew to support the riders. Elizabeth has personally volunteered 108 hours and has 295 family and friend hours.

 “I participate in the NCAC because I have lost someone to HIV,” said Elizabeth. “In 2001 my Cousin, Lance Loud, died of liver failure caused by Hepatitis C and HIV co-infection.” Thanks to her dedication, the NCAC was awarded the grant: “because I logged all of my volunteer hours through UPS’s Neighbor to Neighbor program, the NCAC was able to apply for, and win, a much needed grant from the UPS Foundation.”

The check presentation took place at the CARES facility in Sacramento, CA. Representatives from the NCAC Board of Directors (Heather Rowan, Darci Gilbert, and Jim McCann) and UPS (Elizabeth Loud, Laura Brown, Jeff Kulm, and Geri Smolich) were present to celebrate the event.

For more information about the NorCal AIDS Challenge please visit their website at

www.norcalaidschallenge.net.