SAN DIEGO, Sept. 3, 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees who develop complex, advanced technology products for national defense took up hammers and nails to do a different kind of precision work for Habitat for Humanity in San Diego.
Thirty-five employees from the company's Unmanned Systems unit and Radio Systems business, both based in San Diego, joined forces with Habitat for Humanity Saturday, August 23, to work on three homes in the City Heights neighborhood. The volunteers' "day jobs" include developing unmanned air vehicle systems for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, and building software-defined radios for next generation military aircraft.
"It was great collaborating with people from work on a project for the community," said Herb Reutter, an integrated product team leader from Unmanned Systems. "I helped build three interior walls, and was able to see the results of my morning's contribution, which I found very satisfying."
Lewis Ellis, a test engineer at Radio Systems, took on the task of framing an upstairs section of one of the houses. "I have not stood on 2-by-4s and pounded 16 penny nails for a long time. It felt good knowing that a needy family will use the house that I helped build," he said.
"As we erected each frame, it became easier and easier to visualize the layout of the new home," said Janice Kawamura, a human resources manager for Unmanned Systems. "All of us, including the home's owner-to-be, could see the progress being made."
"The people whose home we were building were right there with us, swinging hammers, sweating in the sun and contributing to the blood blister count," said Scott McMullen, a systems integration lab technician at Radio Systems. "It was an encouraging experience for anybody who had their doubts about the destination of humanity."
The volunteers' work with Habitat for Humanity reflects Northrop Grumman's strong tradition of involvement with the communities where its employees live and work. The company regularly sponsors volunteer activities in its communities and supports employees' individual charitable work.
Habitat for Humanity International (www.habitat.org) is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded by Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 89 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $25 billion global defense company, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. The company provides innovative, technologically advanced products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With approximately 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.