FORT BELVOIR, Va., Oct. 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees from across the Washington D.C. area joined with United Service Organizations (USO) members to assemble over 7,000care packages for deploying servicemen and women.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=10928
On Oct. 22, nearly 200 Northrop Grumman employees and their family members and friends volunteered at an Operation USO Care Package 'stuffing party' at Fort Belvoir, Va. Together, they filled two-gallon, zip-lock plastic bags with items requested by our military, including international calling cards, toiletries and entertainment items, to create care packages that will be given to service members as they deploy to duty locations around the world.
"The enthusiastic, dedicated group of volunteers here today reached a milestone in Northrop Grumman's support to this incredibly important program over the past eight years: We filled our 300,000th care package," said John R. Landon, corporate vice president, Northrop Grumman Corporation. "While we may tally our contribution in numbers, every volunteer has told me how personally meaningful and gratifying the time they've spent here today has been. It is an opportunity to reach out and touch someone who is sacrificing far more of his or her time for all of us."
"Northrop Grumman contributes its talents and technology to the success of our troops through a host of critical programs. These gifts of our time – the contributions of our volunteers to provide these 'touches of home' – make a tremendous difference to the personal welfare of our courageous men and women serving in harm's way," said Joe G. Taylor, Jr., vice president for ground combat systems, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. Taylor, a retired Army major general, is the executive sponsor of Northrop Grumman's Veterans, Employees and Reservists Inspired to Act & Support employee resource group.
Northrop Grumman is a strong supporter of the USO. The company contributed to the start-up of the Operation USO Care Package program in 2003 and hosts numerous stuffing parties every year. The company also sponsors a number of local USO programs around the country, including the USO Airport Lounge for military travelers at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Since 2010, Northrop Grumman has been the corporate sponsor for the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman for the benefit of the USO. This year's game is expected to feature the U.S. Naval Academy (if bowl eligible) against an Atlantic Coast Conference team and will be held on Dec. 28, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Military Bowl seeks to generate broad support for the USO, positively impact the regional economy, and honor the U.S. military and their families.
The USO of Metropolitan Washington is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress and dedicated to "Serving those who serve, and their families" in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty service members and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers; four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. For more information please visit www.usometro.org.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.