Stories

KBR employees around the globe are making a significant impact in their communities this holiday season by giving back in a variety of ways. From clothing and toy drives to visiting the sick, employees are encouraged to give back in ways that are meaningful to their teams and make the most impact where they live and work.

Employees Partner in Local Toy Drives

KBR's headquarter office once again supported the Houston Fire Department to collect toys for children in need. The 2018 Operation Stocking Stuffer Toy Drive will serve approximately 4,000 children and their families in the community. KBR employees pose with a lengthy receipt after buying toys for Operation Stocking Stuffer, the Houston Fire Department's annual toy drive.Employees brought new, unwrapped toys for children from newborn to age 18 in addition to the $10,000 that KBR contributed to purchase gifts for the cause. Paul Box, Communication Specialist Supervisor with The Houston Fire Department, said, KBR's contribution to the HFD's Operation Stocking Stuffer Toy Drive in 2018 will directly impact over 400 families this holiday season. KBR has been one of the largest supporters of this holiday campaign for many years and the success of the toy drive would not be possible without their outstanding efforts," he added.

"It is a privilege to sponsor and be a part of such a strong initiative within the Houston community that touches so many lives," said Caitlin Gardner, Principal, Corporate Communications. "A special thank you to the men and women with the Houston Fire Department who always do a fantastic job in organizing Operation Stocking Stuffer. It never fails to be a huge success!" KBRwyle employees in Lexington Park, Maryland gather up toys for their Toys for Tots toy drive.Other KBR offices around the globe also made an impact in their local communities through toy drives. Employees in Clear Lake, Texas, and Lexington Park, Maryland, held toy drives to brighten up the holiday season for many children in their area. In addition, the KBR team in Canberra, Australia collected toys, food and other essential items for St. John's Care, a local charity that provides emergency relief for the less fortunate. A special thanks to all of our employees for taking part in these outstanding initiatives. The Canberra, Australia team collected food items, toys and other daily essentials for the less fortunate.KBRwyle Team Collects Coats for Local CharityIn the spirit of giving during this holiday season, KBRwyle's office in Huntsville, Alabama, held a coat drive for local families in need. Employees collected 225 coats during the two week drive which will be donated to local charity Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR). CCYR is dedicated to improving the lives of Madison County residents by providing basic necessities such as clothes, household items and food at no cost to the recipient. The KBRwyle team in Huntsville gathered 225 coats to donate for families in need."It is important to our team that KBRwyle be known in the community for giving back and making a difference for families in need," said Deborah Wright, KBRwyle, Human Resources. "The coat drive was one small and simple way that we could give back and make an immediate difference for those in need."

"The CCYR team had noted their need for coats in the past few weeks and were very appreciative of our donation," Wright added. "It was a heartwarming experience to fill up their van and see it driving off knowing that over 200 children and adults would be receiving a coat!"

Saudi IMPACT Team Visits Local Hospital

Members of KBR's IMPACT chapter in Saudi Arabia recently spent the day visiting with pediatric patients at local hospital King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. IMPACT members shared their friendly smiles and brought gifts and toys for the young patients.

It was noted that many of the patients were glowing with happiness as members of the IMPACT team made their way around the ward and greeted each patient. Hussain Alkhalifah, KBR - AMCDE Training Coordinator and IMPACT Saudi Arabia chair, added "I believe emotional support is one of the most powerful things one can give to young patients. Hope is one of the most powerful healing weapons, and that is what we try to provide to these kids through our visits." KBR young professionals visit young cancer patients at a local area hospital in Saudi Arabia this holiday season.

ASPIRE Members Hold Clothing Drive

Throughout the holiday season, members of KBR's employee resource group, ASPIRE, in Houston, Texas, and Columbia, Maryland, held clothing drives for local charities. The Houston ASPIRE chapter supported Dress for Success and Career Gear Greater Houston, both which help men and women achieve financial stability by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools. Members donated handbags, dress shirts and shoes, ties, cufflinks and other miscellaneous clothing items.

In Maryland, ASPIRE members also supported local charities Dress for Success and Sharp Dressed Man. The mission was to help disadvantaged men and women in the local area look and feel their best while searching for a job or within the first two weeks of employment. Employees collected or donated gently used business attire.

"KBR has a long legacy of community engagement and ASPIRE is proud to be a part of that," said Aiesha Maxwell, Supervisor, Materials, Global Project Organization. "After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, ASPIRE members generously donated clothing for women who had lost their professional wardrobes. We wanted to build on the success of that clothing drive this year," she added. "Dress for Success and Career Gear were both perfect fits to meet our goals in helping individuals in and around the Houston community this holiday season.

"Our Maryland Capital Region ASPIRE chapter's focus is to promote diversity in the workplace," said Wallis Fournier, SGT Director of Recruiting. Fournier continued, "By giving those that are less fortunate than us our donations of work appropriate attire, we are making sure that everyone has the confidence to interview and start working again."

Leatherhead Office Benefits Local Food Banks

Employees in KBR's office in Leatherhead, UK, celebrated giving back to their community this holiday season with a Christmas bash that featured a gospel choir, Santa and his elves and reindeer. Staff were encouraged to donate food items to benefit local charity Epsom and Ewell Food Bank. The charity will be providing Christmas meals for the less fortunate. KBR employees in Leatherhead pose with special guests Santa, his elves and his trusty reindeer at their holiday party.

Many KBR staff members provided positive feedback on the event. One employee said, "Today was a great success with surprises around each corner! There was a definite buzz in the canteen and lots of smiles. This clearly took a tremendous effort by many people and put many in a good mood for the afternoon."

"We in the UK are proud to join in KBR employees' charitable efforts around the globe in benefitting our local community throughout the holiday season," said Jane Saunders, Manager, Communications, EMEA. "Our holiday party was a tremendous success and we were delighted to be joined by some very special guests!"

Australia Young Professionals Ride for CharityIn Australia, KBR young professionals organized a team to participate in the MSWA Ocean Ride, a cycling event along the coastline of Western Australia. MSWA, formerly the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia, is a local charity that provides support and assistance to people living with neurological diseases or conditions in Western Australia. The IMPACT Perth team put together a team of bikers to take part in the MSWA Ocean Ride to raise awareness for neurological diseases affected Western Australians.

Team members raced in both the 30km and 70km events while raising funds and awareness for those neurological diseases and conditions. As a result of the initiative, the IMPACT team raised a total of $4,592 for MWSA.

Other KBR employee charitable efforts and participation include Breakfast at Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore, Maryland, Adopt-a-Family initiative in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Firewood for Families in Huntingtown, Maryland. All of these initiatives and many more are a testament to our employees' commitment to helping others and bettering their local communities."