Date posted: 02/06/2008*

At the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass., a small holiday giving effort has evolved into a regular program of volunteer services. More than 75 Raytheon employees are engaged in the cause. Together they give gifts, organize and present activities, and write letters and birthday cards to residents of long-term care wards.

Just Like Family
Raytheon’s involvement with the hospital began about six years ago, when a group of employees from Integrated Defense Systems’ (IDS) Information Solutions (IS) organization made it part of their holiday giving efforts. The group later expanded its involvement with bimonthly visits and activities designed around holidays, sports and other themes. The group also held a “technology day” to introduce residents to new technologies.

The regular visits forged personal connections between employees and residents, according to organizer Tom Larvia. “We got to know the residents on a first-name basis; now we call them our family.” And like family, volunteers have helped supply residents with some basic needs, like soap and shampoo.

Employees from IDS’ Integrated Supply Chain & Quality group began their work with the hospital in October 2006, when they gave a presentation to residents about the Zumwalt program. Now a group of employees visits the hospital once every month to update residents on Raytheon’s work and to conduct a variety of interactive group activities.

Volunteers also coordinated a visit by representatives from the Boston Red Sox organization, who brought the 2007 World Series trophy to the hospital. Other activities include pen pal and birthday card programs.

Reasons to Be Grateful
The highlight of 2007 — for employees and residents — was a Veterans Day visit to Raytheon’s Integrated Air Defense Center (IADC) in Andover, Mass. Veterans toured the IADC’s Circuit Card Assembly Center, where hundreds of cheering employees lined the aisles to thank the veterans for their service. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” said volunteer organizer Guy Mawhinney.

In a letter to Raytheon Chairman and CEO Bill Swanson, recreational therapists Courtney Badgley and Leah Sullivan expressed their deep gratitude to Raytheon and the volunteers:

“Each year your staff continues to outdo themselves in their dedication and commitment to the residents. They are a joy to work with. They are constantly thinking of what else they can do.  They do not rely on doing the ‘same old thing.’ They consider the individual needs, interests and abilities of each and every resident they serve … [We are] truly lucky to have such wonderful people as part of our family.”

Plans for 2008
The volunteers plan to expand their work to other long-term care wards at the hospital in 2008. “Maybe we’ll eventually have all the wards covered,” said Mawhinney.

Larvia encourages all Raytheon employees to begin volunteer efforts in their communities. “Don’t be afraid to reach out your hand and say, ‘Do you need help?’”

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