ATA makes a difference to local communities

  • Published
  • By Philp Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Project Graduation is a program offered by many high schools throughout the U.S. that provides organized, adult-supervised and alcohol-free activities as part of a post-graduation party. 

The idea is to provide a safe and enjoyable alternative to student-run events that all too often involve alcohol or drugs. 

Arnold Engineering Development Center's support contractor, Aerospace Testing Alliance, has been at the forefront of supporting programs like Project Graduation since 2003 when ATA came on board. 

The financial donations that ATA's Employment and Community Activities Committee (E&CAC) considers and approves throughout the year can make a big difference for a school or organization that often depends primarily or totally on outside funding, according to Grundy County High School teacher Beth Brown. 

She knows the value of the Project Graduation first-hand. Brown has organized the program for the school each year. 

"Statistics reveal that prom night and graduation night are the two riskiest times in a teenager's life," she said. "The goal of Project Graduation is to send a clear message to our youth, 'We are proud of you and we want you to learn how to celebrate without drugs and alcohol; we want you to be safe.'" 

Brown said the financial help provided by ATA and other groups is more critical than ever to programs like the one she has been affiliated with over the years. 

"Due to the depressed economy, costs for Project Graduation are higher than ever," she acknowledged. "Our costs include transportation - usually three charter buses - to and from Murfreesboro, facility rental, security and lifeguards and food. 

"We do not charge seniors to attend Project Graduation, and so we do several fundraisers throughout the year. However, without the generous support of ATA, there is no way that we could offer the quality of program that we have been providing for the last several years." 

ATA Performance and Management/Process Improvement specialist Melody Gilliam said serving on E&CAC has been rewarding to her for several reasons. 

"I have always tried to stay active in my community," explained the committee's vice president. "Serving on this committee keeps me connected to the local communities and provides me the opportunity to serve them and the ATA employees." 

She is serving her second year of a three-year term on the committee. 

"The committee makes contributions to civic, educational and athletic organizations," Gilliam said. "These contributions are critical to helping them achieve their goals. Last year I was the Angel Tree chairperson - what a rewarding experience! Through the tremendous generosity of AEDC employees more than 200 children experienced a happier Christmas." 

Tony Medley, a project manager in ATA's investment and design engineering department, has worked at AEDC for close to 23 years. 

As the current E&CAC president, he shares Gilliam's enthusiasm and feels privileged to be in a position to help others in the surrounding communities. 

"It gives me great pleasure knowing that I work for a company that is willing to go the extra mile and give to the needy, youth and other nonprofit organizations for a great cause," he said. "What our committee has given brings hope, pleasure, and a sense of wellbeing to those who receive. The money has helped provide clothes, food, education and [spread] Christmas wishes to people who would otherwise be without." 

ATA's Greg Burt, past E&CAC president, said the contributions approved by the committee are distributed largely to non-profit organizations like schools and sport leagues. 

"Many of these organizations depend largely on our financial support and other companies as well," said Burt, who is an ATA group lead for space and missiles, space chambers, hyper-ballistic ranges and arc heaters at Arnold.
Burt also explained that not every group applying for financial assistance can be accommodated. 

"We try our best to help those who request funds, but we do have budgetary constraints," he said. 

ATA General Manager Dr. David Elrod said he is proud of the supportive role his company takes in the surrounding communities. 

"Fulfilling ATA's vision of being a trusted partner to AEDC can take on many forms," he said. "One of those is doing our part to support worthy causes in the communities surrounding the Center. Although there are many national organizations that are worthy of support, ATA focuses its charitable giving in the communities where our employees and our AEDC co-workers live. 

"I really appreciate the work done by our E&CAC to allocate ATA's giving throughout the year." 

For more information on the E&CAC, contact Tony Medley at 931-454-4878, or Melody Gilliam at 931-454-6061. AEDC employees can get additional information on the E&CAC on the company's internal Web site.