DEC - Bath Iron Works

Twelve Months of Good DeedsBIW and its employees support manycharitable organizations and eventsthroughout the year. And while the scopeof activities far exceeds what is mentionedhere, these are a few that reflect the generosityof resources and spirit that is partof our Bath Built is Best Built® culture.January through December, Fridaygate collections are common. BIWreviews requests and gives priority tocollections that benefit a BIW employeeor family member who is ill or injured,out of work, or has suffered a fire orother misfortune. After that come thenon profit organizations that serve ouremployees and certain school-relatedgroups, like area Project Graduations.BIW people are extremely generous andshow it week after week.In February we pay attention tohearts. Over 30 AED’s are installedwithin 4 minutes from any work area.People have used these in the past yearto help fellow employees with symptomsof a heart attack. The key is toknow where the closest AED is, actquickly and follow the instructions.Keep looking out for each other.March, June, September andDecember mark American Red CrossBlood Drives at BIW. In 2012, 1,150 pintsof blood were collected. Roughly thesame number of people received thosedonations and as a result, operationswere performed, accidents were survivedand lives were saved.Earth Day posters drawn by children ofour employees in April remind us tobe kind to the earth. This year’s themewas “Planting the Seeds of Conservation”based on the Lorax, by Dr. Seuss,who wrote:“I speak for the trees becausethe trees have no tongues.”The May National Alliance for MentalIllness (NAMI) walk in Portland raisedover $190,000. Over 11,000 walkers andbikers turned out, including a numberof BIW employees and family members.The BIW Trek Across Maine team raisedDrew Anderson, right accepting a gift from Dave Berryman and his co-workers to benefit his in-law’sLong Island neighborhood which was struggling in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.$50,000 in June for the Maine LungAssociation. The BIW group, comprised ofemployees, friends and family, has foundthe Trek to be a great way to practicewellness before (the training), during (the3-day ride), and afterwards (the desire todo it again).Last July the BMDA/UAW Local 3999Community Service Committee raised$1,000 and the Maine State UAW CAPCouncil matched it. The money went tothe Good Shepherd Food Bank BackpackProgram to provide backpacks filled withnutritious snacks for at-risk children whenthey are away from school-sponsoredfood programs.BIW is a major sponsor of the MaineAdaptive Sports and Recreation (formerlyMaine Handicapped Skiing) Veterans NoBoundaries program which providesadaptive sports opportunities to disabledveterans and active duty personnel. Thewinter program in February and the summerprogram in August each serve between25–30 veterans and their families.School begins in September. For thepast six years, BIW has sponsored the LabVenture Program of the Gulf of MaineResearch Institute in Portland which allowsover 300 fifth and sixth grade studentsfrom Sagadahoc county to attend annuallyat no cost to them or their school.Students spend a full day studying lobstersand learning teamwork as well as theprinciples of the scientific method.After Hurricane Sandy hit the northeastin October, BIW made a donation torelief efforts in lieu of holiday turkeys.Individuals such as Drew Anderson(D84) found various ways to pitch in.Within days, Drew filled his truck withsupplies and drove to Long Island wherehis in-laws and their neighbors lackedbasic necessities like food, water andshelter. The next week, his MSC co-workerscollected over $1,000 to help fund hisnext trip. Drew still drives down regularlyto help with rebuilding. Also inOctober, many BIW employees honoredformer employee Angela Black by supportingTeam Angela in the DempseyChallenge, helping to raise $40,000 inher memory.In four years, Bob Murray and friendsexpanded their Feed the HungryChallenge beyond North Stores toinclude the whole shipyard. InNovember they raised $12,400 (withthe purchasing power of $155,000) and85 cu. feet of food which was given tofood banks in Bath, Brunswick,Wiscasset, Portland and Lewiston.The annual December USMC ReservesToys for Tots campaign managed by LS6successfully raised both cash and a greatnumber of toys for Maine children. TheMarines say,“What is raised here, stayshere.” Also in December, Jobs forMaine’s Graduates held its installationof members (students) at Morse HighSchool. BIW is a principal sponsor of thisprogram which helps ensure kids earntheir high school diplomas. On average,35-40 students are involved annuallyand Morse graduation rates are trendingup since its inception in 2007.DECEMBER 2012 / 9