Today, the employees of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas donated $325,000 to 18 charities that provide services to people in need in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

The United Ways of Tarrant County and Greater Dallas received a total of $195,000. A major gift totaling $40,000 was given to two organizations that provide services to seniors in the Metroplex -- Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas and Senior Citizens Services of Tarrant County. Additionally, employees gave $20,000 each to the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the North Texas Food Bank.

Cheri Youri, with The Senior Citizens Services of Tarrant County, said their Seniors and Volunteers for Childhood Immunizations program would have been cut back next year if they had not received the donation. "We are very grateful to the employees of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control for making it possible for this program to continue in its full form."

Other charities that received support today were: The American Cancer Society, Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Parkland Hospital Foundation, Volunteers of America, Arlington Women's Shelter, Brighter Tomorrows, Challenge Air, Dallas For Children, the Make a Wish Foundation and Grace of Northeast Tarrant County.

Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control's Employee Charity Fund is supported by a vast majority of its employees, who make donations to the fund on a weekly basis through payroll deductions. The fund was started in October 1993, and as of December of this year, employees have donated more than $3.6 million to support local charities.

Located in Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Fla., and Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas