FedEx honored for philanthropy as they continue to deliver love to Memphis and beyond |

Hurricane Sandy knocked out power to millions, damaged infrastructure, caused massive flooding and made travel in the Northeast impossible by commercial air and treacherous for those on the ground.

Even FedEx took a hit.

The Memphis-based shipping giant could not fly into the storm shuttered Newark Liberty Airport, its main Metro New York City hub.

Even after FedEx was first to land at Newark once the airport reopened, delivery teams couldn’t reach to certain neighborhoods devastated by Sandy. But the overnight delivery service has countless tales to tell about hard working drivers who have made deliveries in extremely adverse conditions.

Now the company is donating $1.2 million dollars in cash and in-kind transportation services for Hurricane Relief, fresh evidence of FedEx’s legacy of philanthropy.

This is the latest example of why the Memphis region’s largest employer is being honored on Nov. 15, 2012 with the Partners in Philanthropy Award from the Memphis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  

The organization generates philanthropic support for a wide variety of nonprofit, charitable organizations. The big event of the year comes near Thanksgiving as the organization celebrates National Philanthropy Day with its Crystal Awards Luncheon. It’s likely each of the 135 Memphis members of AFP have enjoyed FedEx’s generous spirit of giving representing dozens of charitable organizations.

An all star line up of people associated with charity and service in the Mid-South will be honored at the awards luncheon at the Holiday Inn at The University of Memphis.

One honoree at the luncheon probably has visited more Holiday Inns than any other. Kemmons Wilson, Jr. will be cheered as Memphis’ Outstanding Philanthropist.

Wilson’s father and namesake founded the Holiday Inn hotel chain and gave $15 million to The University of Memphis to create the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management which is housed in the U of M Holiday Inn.

Other honorees include:

• ServiceMaster, Outstanding Corporation
• The Jewish Foundation of Memphis will be celebrated as our community’s Outstanding Foundation this year  
• Mark Halperin will receive the Crystal Award for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.
• Bob Plunk of Methodist HealthCare Foundation will be named Outstanding Fundraising Executive.
• Dorothy Gunther Pugh founding Artistic Director of Ballet Memphis, will be honored as Outstanding Executive Leader.
• Lester and Brenda Crain will receive the Spirit of Philanthropy Crystal Award.

But perhaps the loudest cheers will be for FedEx, the overnight delivery giant that has delivered millions of dollars in cash and services to the Memphis nonprofit universe.  

If you're interested in attending, contact Deni Hirsh at (901) 508-2353.

Make sure to check out the photo gallery of FedEx providing suuport for Hurricane Sandy relief here.