DRS contributions grow along with firm

BY SHAWN PIATEK
The Tribune-Democrat

November 16, 2008 11:08 pm

— DRS Laurel Technologies is proud of its record of growth.
When Jeff Wood started with the company almost 22 years ago, he was among a handful of workers. Now, Wood is general manager of the Richland Township plant and oversees 950 employees – 250 more than it had at this time last year.
Growing right along with the number of workers has been the company’s support of the United Way of the Laurel Highlands. Wood said Laurel Technologies, even before its merger with DRS Technologies, has supported the United Way as long as he can remember.
While the company notes that the percentage of employees giving to United Way’s annual campaign has fallen since last year, the amount raised this year has increased by more than $1,400.
In addition to the employee giving, DRS Technologies’ corporate office also makes a donation to the local United Way offices where it has facilities.
“It’s something this corporation and this facility sees as very important,” Wood said.
“This is the one charity we get behind corporatewide with all of our employees.”
Amy O’Hara, a human resources generalist at DRS Laurel, said the facility incentivizes employee giving in a number of ways.
Each year, DRS Laurel kicks off the campaign at its office with an all-employee meeting where the annual United Way video is shown and employees are shown how their donation helps people in their community. In addition, workers who reach a certain level of giving become eligible for daily and grand-prize drawings.
“We’re just trying to encourage individuals to give what they can to help our community,” O’Hara said.
But the greatest incentive for giving DRS Laurel employees has received may not have generated from the company.
Each year, United Way of the Laurel Highlands gives away a new automobile to one of the members of its Leadership Club – those who give $500 or more during the campaign. Two years ago, a DRS Laurel employee was the grand-prize winner and now the facility boasts more than 10 members in the Leadership Club.