Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service, and Exelis Action Corps, the signature volunteer service program for aerospace and defense company Exelis, have joined forces to celebrate Veterans Day by engaging hundreds of volunteers in service projects across the country.

“This is the largest activation we have had for the Exelis Action Corps to date. Across Exelis, volunteers raised their hands to lead projects in their respective locations, providing opportunities for our employees to honor and support veterans, service members and their families across the nation,” said David Albritton, vice president and chief communications officer. “This Veterans Day also marks the one-year anniversary of the Action Corps. It gives us a chance to reflect on the successes we have had and also focus on the assistance to veterans we will provide in the future.”

Here’s a sampling of projects that will take place between Nov. 9 and 16 to honor and support veterans, service members and their families.

• In McLean, Va., on Nov. 11, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps, Points of Light affiliate Volunteer Fairfax and Veterans on the Rise will assemble coffee tables and computer desks for homeless veterans transitioning to new housing.
• In Maxwell, Ala., Nov. 16, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps, Points of Light affiliate Hands On River Region and Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties will help build a new home for 82-year-old Korean War veteran Lindsey Kirksey.
• In Van Nuys, Calif., on Nov. 9, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and Habitat for Humanity San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys will sponsor a barbecue to raise money to build new homes for area veterans.
• In Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 9, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and the University of Colorado Springs Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs will staff a booth offering support for veterans who are college students – a group at high risk of dropping out. Volunteers will also staff a Veterans Day run on Nov. 11.
• In Salt Lake City, on Nov. 9, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and Fisher House – a home where families of injured veterans stay, free of charge, while their loved ones are receiving medical treatment – will do a fall clean-up of the facility’s grounds and kick off a drive to collect items needed at the house.
• In Rome, N.Y., on Nov. 11, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and the Veterans Administration regional office in Syracuse will collect winter clothes for veterans.
• In Fort Wayne, Ind., on Nov. 16, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and Shepherd’s House – a long-term residential and transitional housing center for men dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues – will paint, clean and refurbish the house, then do holiday decorating with veterans.
• In Clifton, N.J., on Nov. 10, volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and the USO of Metropolitan New York will walk five miles in honor of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
• In Roanoke, Va., on Nov. 9, Exelis Action Corps volunteers will help support and join Virginia’s Veterans Parade, one of the largest veterans’ events in the state, including individual veterans, military units, military marching units, and military, college and high school bands.

One event has already taken place. On Nov. 2 in Rochester, N.Y., volunteers with Exelis Action Corps and Rochester Cares, a Points of Light affiliate, did a fall clean-up outside the CDS Monarch’s Warrior Salute™ Nucor House, a home for injured veterans in Penfield, N.Y.

In honor of Veterans Day, Points of Light will recognize 18-year-old Sean Egan of Staten Island, N.Y., with a Daily Point of Light Award for bringing veterans and high school students together through Hearing Our Heroes. The group visits veterans’ hospitals, arranges social gatherings with veterans and helps disabled veterans with yard work and other chores.

About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

About Exelis Action Corps
The Exelis Action Corps is the signature volunteer service program for Exelis, a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and services company. Exelis Action Corps is designed to allow nearly 20,000 Exelis employees to give back to their communities by serving military service members, veterans and their families. Exelis leverages a 50-year legacy of deep customer knowledge and technical expertise to deliver affordable, mission-critical solutions for global customers. We are a leader in timing and navigation, sensors, air traffic solutions, image processing and distribution, communications and information systems, logistics and technical services; and we are focused on strategic growth in the areas of critical networks, ISR and analytics, electronic warfare and composite aerostructures. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 19,000 people and generated 2012 sales of $5.5 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.exelisinc.com, www.exelisactioncorps.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Points of Light

Points of Light

Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service each year, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. To learn more about Points of Light visit pointsoflight.org. 

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