Stories

​At KBR, giving back to our communities has been part of our character since our founding. Each year KBR employees around the world contribute financially and with their time by volunteering thousands of hours to support local charitable organizations and causes close to their hearts. Here are some of the ways KBR employees around the world supported their communities in recent months.

Tea and Talk – raising mental health awareness

Changing the conversation about mental health has become a major push in the UK in the past year, due in part by a new mental health initiative spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

"Mental health problems in the UK workforce cost employers almost £35 billion last year due to reduced productivity and turnover," said Jackie O'Connor, principle benefits specialist with the KBR Government Services team.

KBR’s UK office hosted a cake sale and ‘Tea and Talk’ to raise money and awareness for mental health.

"We've been working with senior leadership on a variety of fronts to encourage our KBR colleagues to take care of themselves and to realize that there is no shame in you or someone you love needing help."

On October 10 in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, a group of KBR volunteers at KBR's Leatherhead office hosted a cake sale to raise money and educate fellow employees about mental health issues in the workplace.

The group is part of a staff-run initiative called OK NOW (One KBR Network of Wellbeing). Around 18 members pitched in by baking cakes, manning the sales table and distributing "tea and talk," along with information from Mind, a UK-based mental health charity. The event also promoted KBR's Employee Assistance Program and other KBR resources.

In all, the cake sale raised around $1,000 US to support Mind, which provides mental health education and services in England and Wales. More importantly it helped raise awareness about an issue of growing importance.

"People often feel afraid to admit that they are struggling with their mental health due to fear of prejudice and judgment," O'Connor said. "Events like these can go a long way toward reducing the stigma of mental health issues and achieving greater acceptance and compassion."

Saving lives a drop at a time

Giving blood benefits friends, families, neighbors and people in the community we will never meet by helping to ensure that the regional blood needs are met. Once again KBR answered the call with its second annual Blood Donation Day held Sept. 17 and 18 at KBR's office in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Organized by the KBR-AMCDE young professionals group, IMPACT, the event attracted more than 66 volunteers, including KBR employees and clients who rolled up their sleeves to donate.
The event is part of KBR-AMCDE IMPACT's Employee Health and Community services initiative. IMPACT also organizes and runs Health Check Day, which brings in medical personnel from a local hospital to check employees' blood pressure, blood sugar level and provide a general health screening.

Getting up close and personal with nature at KBR Kids Day

Preserving our world for future generations starts with educating today's children. That's the idea behind KBR Kids Day, an annual event hosted by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership with KBR as the major sponsor. Now in its 11th year, KBR Kids Day is one of Houston's premiere free events, attracting thousands of children and their families for a day of hands-on learning about the importance of protecting wildlife and nature.

The 11th annual KBR Kids Day attracted thousands of families for a hands-on day of fun and learning.

This year, the event featured more than 20 non-profit organizations along with face painters, balloon artists, a rock-climbing wall, Sports Zone, a bird of prey show presented by Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges, and full of local entertainment and performers.

"It was a fun event for a great cause," said Cameron Boydstun, who oversees the community service for KBR's young professionals. "This was my first year to participate. I was surprised by the huge turnout."

Cameron and other volunteers manned the KBR booth, handing out coloring books and other goodies.  Of course the booth's main attractions for children and football fans alike were the Houston Texans cheerleaders and Toro, the team's mascot, who were there courtesy of the Texans' charitable partnership with KBR.

"The most fun was to see kids coming up to our booth with smiles on their faces, said Boydstun. "Then we'd point out Toro and their smiles got even wider!"

It looks as though the KBR volunteers were having just as much fun as the kids.

KBRwyle steps up to support the military

KBR has served the military around the world for years in base camps and on the front lines. On Oct. 14, 2017, KBRwyle in Jacksonville, Florida, supported the military in a different way as a major sponsor of the Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon and Freedom 5K.

Started in 2004, the race is one of the premier fall events in the southeastern United States, with over 2,500 runners from over fifteen states. Over the years the race has also become a weekend celebration of running, physical fitness, and a tribute to the military with an expo, receptions, press conferences and parties. KBRwyle and its heritage companies has been the title sponsor since 2007.

KBRwyle supported multiple military and veteran charities through a major sponsorship of the Jacksonville Marine Corp Half Marathon and 5K.

All proceeds from the race are donated to numerous military and veteran charities, such as Semper Fi Fund, United Service Organizations (USO), America's VetDogs, Homes for our Troops and Care 4 R Troops. Funds also go to local veteran and youth leadership organizations.

KBRwyle volunteers were front and center all weekend. Forty-five volunteers staffed the KBRwyle booth, handing out KBRwyle branded items and talking to the community about the work they perform. Another 25 KBR volunteers operated one of the water stops located on the route, which was done in true KBR style – efficiently, cleanly and safely.

"We're proud to be able to support our military in this way," said Doug Hill, KBRwyle program manager who organized the sponsorship. "All the recipients of the funds raised do fantastic work for our active military, our veterans and their families. The event is a wonderful opportunity to support these organizations and say thank you to our soldiers for all they have done."