It’s hard to think of a company more involved with Tarrant County United Way than Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. For the last two years, Lockheed Martin and the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Employees Reaching Out (AERO) Club have given more than $2 million to the United Way campaign. Lockheed is one of only three companies whose combined employee and corporate gifts exceed the $2 million mark. 

Hundreds of employees have donated at the $1,000+ Leadership level. “Lockheed Martin and its employees understand the need for funds to support those in our community who may be less fortunate, to enable them to accomplish all they can,” said Kathy Luper, AERO Club executive director.

Besides donating money, Lockheed loans employees to United Way during the annual campaign to work as campaign associates who supplement the fund-raising staff. “Lockheed Martin views the United Way campaign associate program as a good way to stretch our high-potential employees while also benefiting a valued community partner,” said Lockheed Martin Community Relations Manager Norman Robbins.

Lockheed employees do service projects at United Way partner agencies through the Days of Caring program. They also are involved with United Way’s Area Agency on Aging and serve on the United Way Crisis Relief, Health and Kids Impact Councils. Robbins sits on the Literacy Advisory Council. “United Way’s emphasis and involvement is the critical element needed to effectively deal with this important issue,” he said.

Mary Jo Polidore, Lockheed Martin vice president of communications, agrees. She is a member of the United Way board of directors and the Community Development Division Cabinet. “Lockheed Martin considers United Way to be the most effective community resource for determining critical human service needs,” she said. “It is also the one organization with the unique ability to identify and convene the resources and energy to develop effective ways of addressing those needs.”