Over 100 employees and their family members of the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC) team spent a day in October to help some of its neighbors.  Employees signed up and volunteered in a long-standing community service organization called, “Christmas in October.” The organization has been in action for nearly 40 years and aims to help those in need in the Kansas City area by assisting with rebuilding, refurbishing and cleaning home projects.

KCNSC volunteers had a long list of projects at three different locations in Grandview, Missouri. Some of the tasks included exterior painting of window trim and foundations, yard work, gardening, gate repair, deck repair, tree trimming, and power washing. The sounds of weed whacking, sawing, hammering and paint rolling lasted for most of the day with each of the volunteers getting a chance to put their time in multiple projects.

One of those volunteers included Honeywell FM&T President Eric Wollerman, who was thrilled to see so many members of the KCNSC family on hand to help their community.

"We’re a member of the community here and it’s something that we can do - to offer our time to help out some people in need,” Wollerman said. “I think it’s awesome -- to be able to go out and get a big group of volunteers together -- words can’t really describe it. It’s great to see firsthand and I’m proud to have employees that are willing to donate their time.”

One of the home’s residents, Derrick Jones-Jordan, was on hand to witness the hard work and great attitudes the volunteers were putting in. The 65-year-old, who helps care for his 91-year-old mother, was beyond thrilled with not only for the work being done, but also the interactions he was witnessing.  

“Everybody is friendly. Everybody has a great attitude. They’re smiling, helpful, informative,” Jones-Jordan said proudly. “You can tell (the volunteers) really love what they’re doing and their heart is in it because it shows in their body language, their attitude and their presentation.”

“I’m amazed at the level of skill of our employees. They’ve done this for many years in the past and they come prepared,” said volunteer team leader Brian Johnson, Honeywell FM&T’s Sr Mechanical Engineer. “They are the heroes.”

Originating in 1983, Christmas in October takes place one October weekend every year, bringing an average of over 4,000 volunteers into the community to make a difference. Volunteers from businesses, churches, plumbers, electricians, and others from across the Kansas City metropolitan area contribute hundreds of man-hours helping to restore and renovate approximately 300 homes every year. KCNSC has been a long-standing partner with Christmas in October and plans to continue to remain engaged with the organization long into the future. If you are interested in learning more about the work Christmas in October, visit its website here.

The KCNSC is managed and operated by Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC.