Aerospace’s culture of giving shines bright throughout the year but truly stood out during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service. Employees from all across the country joined together to honor Dr. King’s legacy of making positive change. This year, employees gave their time and talents to support their local communities to fight food insecurity.

“At Aerospace, we spend our careers giving back to the nation, making sure Americans are safe and secure as a result of a strong space enterprise,” said Dr. Lara Schmidt, Vice President of the Defense Systems Group, who volunteered in Colorado Springs. “Giving back at the community level is a whole different experience—it’s personal and it affects individuals.”

MLK National Day of Service is the only federal holiday also designated as a day of service. Inspired by MLK’s legacy, Aerospace hosted more volunteers than ever before with employees generously sharing their time to make a difference in their communities.

Making a Difference Together

In Los Angeles, employees gathered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to box more than 22,000 lbs. of food. Aerospace President and CEO Steve Isakowitz joined employees to package food for low-income seniors and women with infants and children in Los Angeles County.

“It makes me feel hopeful. I’m proud to work at Aerospace knowing that we care not only about what we’re doing for our work on national security and defense, but also that we care deeply about our communities, giving back and fighting food insecurity,” said Lianne McGinley, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “I think all of us working together can help make a difference in that area. Small acts, everybody doing a little bit, can really add up.”

During the Day of Service, nearly 13,000 lbs. of food was packed by Aerospace volunteers for the Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs.

In Albuquerque, volunteers packed and assembled boxes at the Roadrunner Food Bank, helping to put food on the table of those in need. In Chantilly, volunteers sorted, stocked and organized food at the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries food pantry.

“I think it is important to give back to the community any way we can because we don’t always know the struggles some people face,” said Nikki Wilcox, Senior Project Engineer in the Civil Systems Group, who organized a Day of Service volunteer opportunity in her hometown. “By volunteering, we can appreciate the evolving needs and give back when an opportunity arises, no matter how small.”

MLK Day also provided opportunities for remote workers to donate or volunteer for various opportunities through Volunteer Match and logging their hours online.

“Remote workers are a significant working group at Aerospace, and we wanted to help them find ways to give back in their own communities, and especially to join in with all of us as we’re working to fight food insecurity,” said McGinley.

In Utah, packed and organized food for Airman’s Attic, which supports servicemembers stationed in Hill Airforce Base. Employee volunteers in the D.C. area provided emergency groceries to those in need at the Capital Area Food Bank.

“It feels really rewarding to be a part of a bigger movement,” said Lauren Gandara, Outreach Coordinator for Corporate Social Responsibility. “When I volunteer with Aerospace, I feel like I’m part of a community that’s doing good and really able to make a difference where I live.”

5,000 Good Things

During the holidays, Aerospace employees gave back by volunteering for the MLK Day of Service, donating to the annual Holiday Gift Drive, supporting ERG giving activities and much more. Aerospace’s goal for the One Good Thing campaign this year was to accomplish 5,000 Good Things. The goal was surpassed by an exponential multitude with the Aerospace team doing more than 35,000 Good Things during the holiday season and Aerospace’s substantial impact was recognized in local media