Lockheed Martin Volunteers Assemble USO Holiday Care Packages for Nearly 5,000 Service Members

COLORADO SPRINGS, October 29, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] employees in Colorado Springs spread some early holiday cheer as they partnered with the USO (United Service Organizations) to assemble holiday care packages for deployed military service members. The group of volunteers packed holiday decorations, New Year’s items, pocket flags and banners of appreciation signed by Lockheed Martin employees into 100 jumbo boxes—which will each be shared with approximately 50 troops.

Among the volunteers in attendance was Mark Stewart, vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “It’s always great when we can partner with other organizations to make an even greater community impact,” he said. “We’re honored to be a part of such an important holiday tradition in support of the USO and our troops.”

“We make products like satellites and fighter jets that directly help our military out on the front lines,” offered Dr. Rob Smith, vice president of C4ISR for Lockheed Martin. “This is no different—it’s important that we not only give troops the tactical support they need to complete their mission, but also the moral support that comes with something as simple as a holiday care package—letting them know we are grateful for their sacrifice and want them to come home safely.”

The USO holiday care package program was developed by the USO to not only provide a touch of home during holidays, but also to bring about special occasions for servicemen and women stationed in remote locations without USO centers. The unique gifts in each package never cease to connect service members who are far from home with their family and country.  

Each year, Lockheed Martin hosts employee volunteer events across the United States to assemble USO care packages and holiday care packages for service members. Since 2008, Lockheed Martin volunteers have prepared more than 195,000 USO care packages for individual military service members and more than 500 USO holiday care packages for as many as 25,000 military service members.

“We hope these care packages will serve as a reminder to troops far from home that their country is grateful for their sacrifice,” said Phil Martinez, director of USO Colorado Springs. “We’re grateful for partners like Lockheed Martin who team up with us to continue this important mission.”

In addition to the supporting the USO, Lockheed Martin provides philanthropic grants to a number of organizations in the Colorado Springs area including the Lockheed Martin Challenger Center, the Air Force Academy, the Space Foundation and The Home Front Cares.

October is Lockheed Martin’s “Month of Giving” – a company-wide effort to highlight Lockheed Martin’s philanthropic commitment to the communities Lockheed Martin employees call home. Lockheed Martin invests over $25 million worldwide in nonprofit organizations, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and military/veteran causes. In addition, employees donate $20 million annually to various organizations through workplace giving campaigns and volunteer an average of 1 million hours each year.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.