Stories

Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic and social distancing requirements, KBR employees are going virtual in order to make a lasting impact in their local communities. By utilizing platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, our people around the world are connecting in new ways to assist nonprofits and charity organizations financially so that they can continue carry out their missions during these challenging times.

U.S. Employees Hold Virtual Charity Bingo Benefiting Feeding America

KBR employees across the U.S. spent the early evening hours of June 30 playing bingo for charity via Zoom. Employees played three fun, exciting games of bingo and held a silent auction in support of Feeding America, a U.S. nonprofit that supports food banks, soup kitchens, shelters and other community-based agencies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding America has supplied thousands of meals for those without access to food.

As part of KBR’s partnership with the Houston Rockets, we were pleased to welcome employees from the Rockets organization to participate. There was also a surprise visit from Rockets player Ben McLemore for a Q&A session during the event. A special thank you to the Rockets for providing several game prizes for our employees.

“We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our people and the Houston Rockets for their support of our event,” said Philip Ivy, KBR Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications. “Thanks to their generosity, we raised more than $7,000 for Feeding America which will supply approximately 70,000 meals for the hungry during these difficult times.”

KBR Holds Global Coloring Contest for COVID-19 Support

KBR recently hosted a company-wide Coloring Contest, inviting employees and their families from every office and location to participate and share their creativity. The winning artists were given the opportunity to choose a charity organization that is specifically meeting needs brought on by COVID-19 to which KBR will make a monetary donation on their behalf. KBR is also making a donation to World Health Organization COVID-19 Response Fund.

Employees were able to choose from eight different coloring designs that depicted a theme related to COVID-19 or KBR’s capabilities and core values including healthcare heroes, working from home, sustainability, space, community and more. Congratulations to the following winners and their selected charities:

• Laura Holley, Leatherhead, United Kingdom, Feeding Britain
• Balamurali Krishnan, Chennai, India, Aid India
• Leonita Avdiu, Ferizaj, Kosovo, MuralFest Kosovo
• Jonathan Pena, Monterrey, Mexico, Cruz Roja Mexicana
• Banty Mondal, Al Basrah, Iraq, Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center
• Robert Terrell, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Feeding South Dakota
• Lorriace Henry, Baghdad, Iraq, World Health Organization COVID-19 Response Fund
• Anuj Jain, Gurgaon, India, Goonj

Staying In “In Style” Charity Bingo Night

When the prospect of leaving home for fun is not an option, you bring the night in. That’s exactly what our colleagues in the UK did all while raising money for charity.

On May 14, the KBR Communities Network Leatherhead hosted a virtual Bingo Night in aid of the Community Foundation of Surrey Coronavirus Response Fund. The fund helps keep local initiatives operational, such as supply food and essentials to vulnerable people, supporting isolated elderly citizens and adapting other vital services to ensure people with the highest needs continue receiving the help they need.

In true KBR spirit, the event was met with great energy and enthusiasm which created an entertaining, informal atmosphere. The selected event hosts also contributed to the fun by each hosting a round while dressed in their finest attire. Thanks to hosts Dougal Monk, Sr. Director, Business Development, Benjamin Sawford, Vice President, Global Consulting, Gary Godwin, Sr. Director, Operations and Andy Delugar, Project Director – EPC, for a fantastic job.

“Thank you to all who donated and participated in the event, which has raised nearly £2,000 (approximately $2,400 USD) for charity, said Sam Edwards, Sr. Manager, Marketing. “Virtual Bingo Night was such a huge success and there are already plans to host more game nights over the next few months.”

TSSC Staff Create Online Learning Activities for Kids Using Satellite Images

At the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, KBR’s Communication & Outreach (C&O) team at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, SD, worked quickly to find ways to connect with students who are doing schoolwork from home.

Prior to parents and kids all working from home, EROS C&O team members on the Technical Support Services Contract (TSSC), had begun work on a new lesson plan for middle school students that could be used in class or as a self-led tutorial. The lesson uses a web-based image viewer to explore Landsat imagery and how it shows change over time.

But with teachers and parents needing different educational tools, the team had the idea to create a quick activity that teachers and parents could offer as their students learn from home. It’s more of a game than an entire lesson, meant to introduce the public to some of the changes that can be seen from Landsat satellites.

Each question in the game displays a pair of images and lets kids choose what type of change they think is revealed in the imagery. The game provides multiple choice questions. At the end of the quiz, students can review their answers or even take the quiz again.

The Change Pair Game is available to the public and can be found on the USGS EROS website. Additional activities can also be found on the EROS outreach and education web page.

“Our people continue to make a lasting impact in their communities, even in the midst of a global pandemic and many miles between them,” said Stuart Bradie, KBR President & CEO. “Their passion and commitment to helping others, especially in imaginative ways, is awe-inspiring and I commend them on their efforts.”

We applaud our colleagues around the world for their efforts in finding fun, creative ways to raise money for charity and connect with their coworkers.