2020 has been a challenging year as everyone has been affected by COVID-19 and its impacts. During this holiday season, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy, and we look forward to connecting with you in the new year.
Spirit of the Holidays drive brings joy to families this holiday season
This year, the holiday season has given all of us time to pause and give thanks for what we have and provides an opportunity to do what we can to help our neighbors.
Boeing South Carolina’s Spirit of the Holidays (SOHO) is a community engagement program that encourages BSC teammates to help our heroes, bring joy to children and families, and give their time and donations to local communities during the holiday season. Each year, the drive is focused on supporting individuals and families in our local communities who might not have the financial means to celebrate the holidays. The 2020 drive supported several local charities: Toys for Tots, Charleston Hope, The Salvation Army of Charleston and Adopt-an-Elder as they provide assistance to children and families in the Lowcountry. Contributions of $25 or more were eligible for Boeings Gift Match program.
Toys for Tots:
This year, due to the COVID-19 precautions, Boeing South Carolina teammates had two different ways to support Charleston’s Toys for Tots toy drive. Toy collection bins were placed around the BSC Airport and North Campuses where teammates could donate new, unwrapped toys to be delivered to children on Christmas Day. Additionally, teammates also could donate through an Amazon Wish List created by the Toys for Tots organization.
On Dec. 14, WCBD’s Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler featured BSC teammates during a live broadcast as part of his 20 Days of Giving. Pictured above at the Toy Factory in Summerville, left to right: Staff Sergeant Trevor Woodruff; WBCD’s Rob Fowler; BSC teammates Bill Coats, Lenny Johnson, and Erin Bayles.
Charleston Hope’s Adopt-a-Classroom:
BSC sponsored classrooms and wish lists for Mitchell Elementary School and Sanders-Clyde Elementary School. Through our teammates’ donations, 150 gifts were provided to students and teachers.
The Salvation Army of Charleston:
The Salvation Army of Charleston helps to ensure children in every family circumstance have a reason for joy and hope during the holidays, through programs like Angel Tree, Adopt-a-Family, family gift baskets and others.
Adopt-an-Elder:
The BSC Boeing Native American Network (BNAN) partnered with the Ridgeville Edisto Natchez-Kusso tribe this holiday season. Participating teammates purchased Walmart gift cards that were then given to the tribal elders.
Boeing invests more than $6 million in South Carolina non-profits
This year, Boeing is proud to support 21 South Carolina non-profit organizations by providing $3.7 million in grants. Combined with its 2020 sponsorships, Boeing will invest a $6,343,000 million in the community to fund programs through 2021 and beyond. This brings Boeing’s charitable investment total to more than $56 million benefiting non-profit organizations across South Carolina since 2010.
Boeing South Carolina invests in three areas of the community. “Our Future” spotlights the commitment to STEM education and inspiring youth; “Our Heroes” includes investments in organizations that support our nation’s veterans and their families through workforce transition and recovery and rehabilitation; and “Our Homes” includes partnerships that lead in conservation, environmental stewardship, and preservation of the South Carolina landscape. Additionally, Boeing commits to building dynamic communities through a focus on the health and wellness of students across the state to combat childhood obesity and hunger.
Click here to see the full list and messages from Boeing’s 2020 grant partners.
Additionally, in November, Boeing announced a partnership with Allen University to establish the Boeing Institute on Civility at Allen University. The Boeing Institute will be a national hub for teaching and provide programming aimed at advancing civil discourse in America and across the globe. This investment builds on Boeing’s commitment to advancing racial equity. For more information about the new institute, click here.
737 MAX returns to service
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted the order that suspended 737 operations for airlines under its jurisdiction, including those in the U.S. The move will allow airlines in the U.S. and those that are under the FAA’s jurisdiction to take the steps necessary to resume service and Boeing to begin making deliveries.
“We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents that led to the decision to suspend operations,” said David Calhoun, chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. “These events and the lessons we have learned as a result have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.”
Additionally, Brazil’s Aviation Authority, ANAC, joined the FAA by rescinding the order that halted commercial operations of Boeing 737-8s in Brazil. Commercial operations for the aircraft type can take place once airlines have met the requirements outlined by ANAC. Brazil’s Gol Airlines brought the airplane back into service on Dec. 9, flying passengers from São Paulo to Porto Alegre on a 737-800.
Throughout the past 20 months, Boeing has worked closely with airlines, providing them with detailed recommendations regarding long-term storage and ensuring their input was part of the effort to safely return the airplanes to service.
Boeing also continues to receive new orders for the 737. This month, Boeing and Ryanair announced that Europe’s largest airline is placing a firm order for 75 additional 737 MAX airplanes, increasing its order book to 210 jets. Virgin Australia also so announced 25 orders for 737-10’s, stating the plane will be the “backbone of their future fleet when the market recovers.”
For more information, visit www.Boeing.com/737-max-updates
Confident Travel Initiative: Healthy air travel information from Boeing
Your health and safety are always our top priority. We continue working across the industry to enhance health safeguards and develop new solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All Boeing airplanes have systems already in place to help maintain a healthy cabin environment. These systems filter the air you breathe and minimize the spread of airborne contaminants.
- The volume of cabin air is exchanged every two to three minutes.
- HEPA filters similar to those used in hospitals capture more than 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
- Cabin air flows primarily from ceiling to floor in a circular pattern and leaves through the floor grilles near the same seat row where it enters.
- Click here to see a video that explains how this process works.
Additionally, Boeing recently entered into patent and technology licenses with Far UV Technologies and Healthe Inc.® Under these licenses, both companies will produce and distribute a portable UV wand designed to sanitize airplane interiors, helping airlines and potentially other industries combat the coronavirus pandemic.
There are many other ways Boeing is researching the best defenses against COVID-19 onboard airplanes, including antimicrobial coatings and self-disinfecting lavatories. To learn more, click here.
2021 STEM Signing Day application period is now open
We are excited to announce that the application is open for 2021 STEM Signing Day Presented by Boeing and SC Manufacturers Alliance and Powered by Tallo. All South Carolina high school seniors who plan to attend a two-year or four-year college or university and pursue a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree or program are eligible to apply on Tallo.
2021 STEM Signing Day will take place in Spring For more information and to apply, visit https://tallo.com/