Annual food drive takes on new meaning after historic flooding

Photo by Mike Aubey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Freedom from Hunger — Nearly 800 Operations employees from Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, helped make this year's Flood Recovery Food Drive in Cedar Rapids a success. Our company collected more than 23,000 pounds of food to be distributed through the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program.

For more than five years, Rockwell Collins employees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, have come together for the annual Freedom from Hunger Community Food Challenge.

This year, following unprecedented flooding in multiple communities throughout Eastern Iowa including Cedar Rapids, the event has taken on an entirely new meaning and even a modified name - the Flood Recovery Food Drive.

"This year was a little different than in past years," said Dave Gosch, senior public relations specialist at Rockwell Collins and a member of the Flood Recovery Food Drive Planning Committee. "We wanted the food drive to reflect our company's dedication to the flood recovery efforts."

However, the committee also wanted to continue its support of the estimated 3,000 households not affected by flooding who seek assistance each year. And, thanks in large part to the participation of nearly 800 Operations employees, our company collected more than 23,000 pounds of food to be distributed through the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) Food Reservoir.

According to Nancy Goebel, a manufacturing production control specialist, Operations employees organized and participated in several fund-raisers, including raffles and ice cream sales.

"The food drive always gets a big response in Operations," said Goebel, noting money from the fund-raisers went toward the purchase of the food. "We had several people directly affected by the flood, so I think it meant even more this year."

Linda Foudree, an on-site contract employee in Enterprise Subcontracts and winner of one of the Operations raffles, said employees were donating money not because they wanted to win raffles, but because it was the right thing to do.

"The last thing on my mind was winning," said Foudree. "I had even forgotten that I had bought a ticket; all I knew was that my money was helping people in need."

Cedar Rapids employee helps organize event to benefit flood victims

When Chris Fonck learned that historic flooding in Eastern Iowa caused damage to his nephew's home in the small town of Palo, he was quick to lend a helping hand.

But, despite his efforts to assist flood victims, the senior market research analyst in Commercial Systems at Rockwell Collins felt he hadn't done quite enough.

Inspired by his love of music, Fonck decided to help organize Floodstock 2008, a rock music festival that raised more than $100,000 for Cedar Rapids area recovery and rebuilding efforts.

In only 13 days, Fonck and a few of his friends organized the three-day event that brought together 20 bands ranging in genre from R&B to classic rock, blues, and folk music.

"I think it went really well considering the amount of time we had to get everything together," said Fonck, who was in charge of musical bookings. "All of the bands were grateful for the chance to play - especially since many of the venues used by local bands were damaged by the floods."

A drummer in the local band Copper Moon, Fonck said the event was a success thanks in large part to community support, and the support of his friends and colleagues at Rockwell Collins.

"It was really important to everyone planning the event that we raise as much [money] as we could," said Fonck, noting plans for Floodstock 2009 already are in progress. "Our ultimate goal is to continue this event - ideally, we'd like to have it in downtown Cedar Rapids in areas affected by major flooding."

Proceeds from Floodstock 2008 will benefit the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation's Flood 2008 Fund, and the Job and Small Business Fund in Cedar Rapids.

School supply drive gathers more than 23,000 items for students

As a mother, Diana Thomsen understands the value students place on having a new set of school supplies each year upon their return to the classroom.

"A new set of school supplies helps a child's self-esteem," said Thomsen, a senior administrative assistant at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "Having new pencils and pens and a backpack like the other kids really boosts their morale."

Thomsen's love for helping less fortunate children is what prompted her and a group of her colleagues to coordinate a school supply drive during the first two weeks of July. The event brought in 23,266 items - 205 prepackaged backpacks, 15 boxes of food, seven $25 gift cards, and monetary donations totaling $1,880 - all donated to children in need in the area.

"The amount of support employees in Cedar Rapids showed to the drive was absolutely overwhelming," said Pauline Nelson, a senior administrative assistant. "With the floods that have occurred in the area in recent months, you can just see how open people's hearts are to helping others."

Nelson and Thomsen are both members of the Administrative Effectiveness Team, a group of 13 administrative assistants in Cedar Rapids who sponsored the drive. The team was formed in 1991 to enhance and elevate the value of the administrative profession, and each year sets forth objectives that include charitable goals.

The team has been hosting the school supply drive for six years. The amount collected has grown exponentially each year, with this year's effort more than tripling the amount collected in 2007.

Dixie Dahl, an executive assistant and team leader, said the group looks to uphold the values of Rockwell Collins by getting involved in service events throughout the year - from the school supply drive to assisting the Special Olympics and a local women's shelter.

"Community projects are important to all of us throughout Rockwell Collins," said Dahl. "This group likes to further the values of our company by supporting our community."

U.S. Army's MH-47G Chinook touches down in Cedar Rapids

Photo by Paul Chauncey, Wichita, Kansas
A firsthand glimpse — Rockwell Collins employees gather around the MH-47G Chinook helicopter after it touched down at the Rockwell Collins C Avenue Complex in Cedar Rapids. The helicopter's cockpit is loaded with our company's Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS).

Rockwell Collins employees working on Special Operations programs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were able to get a firsthand glimpse of their work when an MH-47G Chinook landed at the C Avenue Complex on Monday, Aug. 11.

The cockpit of the MH-47G is loaded with our company's Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), which is a fully integrated flight and management capability that provides unbeatable mission effectiveness through enhanced navigation, communication, and mission essential capabilities.

According to Rick Tomy, senior director for Cargo/Utility and Attack Rotary Wing Solutions at Rockwell Collins, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) brought the helicopter to Cedar Rapids for a two-week stay for software integration and evaluations. The visit also provided our employees a chance to actually see CAAS in use, which is something many have not witnessed.

"This not only boosts employee morale and familiarity with the CAAS program, but it also gives our employees a vision of how what they do day-to-day helps pilots accomplish their missions," said Tomy, noting the aircraft stayed for about two hours before flying back to the airport for additional testing and integration. "We've got mock-ups in the lab, but this is such an impressive aircraft, and one that is important for our employees to actually see up close."