Lockheed Martin Aeronautics employees donated more than 700 bicycles and over $130,000 to local community organizations at the annual Holiday Charity Luncheon and Parade on Thursday, Dec. 10.

The Marine Corps Color Guard, with bicycles and tricycles following behind, led the parade through the office complex and factory. Members from the Brewer High School Band marched through the hallways, playing their instruments for all employees to hear.

Representatives from Cook Children's Medical Center, Cowboy Santas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Goodfellows fund, and the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program were in attendance and accepted generous donations on behalf of their organizations.

Executives from Lockheed Martin's F-16, F-22 and F-35 programs presented checks to the community representatives.

"This outpouring of generosity truly illustrates the essence of the Lockheed Martin team," said June Shrewsbury, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president of Company Integration. "There has been a literal buzz around the office pertaining to the Holiday Charity Drive. Our employees work all year to make sure that the children and families in our community have the wonderful holiday season they deserve."

Additional community organizations benefiting from the generosity of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics employees include Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Adopt-A-Family, Child Protective Services, Safe Haven, YWCA and others.

Each year, Lockheed Martin employees hold fundraisers and champion holiday charity projects year round to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local organizations and individuals. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company