Boeing

Even during today's tough economic times, Boeing employees continue to show their commitment to the communities where they live and work by contributing $18 million to the Puget Sound-area United Ways - an increase of $3.1 million over last year's pledge - through the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound. The United Ways in the following counties will receive funding from ECF: Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom.

"We're thrilled with Boeing employees' support of the community and United Way of King County," said Jon Fine, president and CEO of United Way of King County. "This contribution is hugely valuable and we believe it will help show the way for others to contribute to the community. These are tough times and Boeing employees once again are showing exceptional generosity and continue to always be there."

Judi Drake, president of the ECF Board of Trustees, agreed Boeing employees' contributions have been extraordinary.

"Employees instinctively stepped up to the plate this year," said Drake. "Their generosity is nothing less than extraordinary during these difficult times. I'm very proud to represent Boeing employees and I feel confident they will continue with their generosity."

In addition to the ECF contributions, Boeing employees in the Puget Sound region demonstrated their generosity and desire to help their neighbors in need by donating more this year during the company's annual Food & Essentials and Coats & Blankets drive. Boeing people gave 101,086 pounds of food and essential items, or the equivalent of 79,000 meals, and 16,946 items of clothing, which is a 24 percent increase for food and a 21 percent increase for clothing over last year's contributions. The Boeing Company also awarded Food Lifeline with $118,000 to purchase frozen food for the holidays. Combined, Boeing employees and the company provided 787,000 meals for hungry people. Nonperishable food and essential items went to Food Lifeline in north Seattle for distribution to 253 food banks in Western Washington. Warm coats and blankets were distributed through shelters and multi-service agencies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

"Boeing employees are truly committed to the Puget Sound area," said Bob Watt, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Government & Community Relations for the Northwest Region. "This increase in giving for the community is a testament of how engaged Boeing employees are in making the Puget Sound area an even better place to live and work."

ECF is a non-profit grant-making organization, which is the largest employee-owned charitable organization in the world. Employee contributions go to non-profits, most of which are health and human service agencies.

The fund was established in 1951 as an alternative to the many requests for contributions taking place at the time. Unions representing Boeing employees signed on to the idea of one fund and employees embraced it by donating $250,000 in the first year.