Shipyard workers give
$537,508 for charity

The monthlong drive raised almost
$60,000 more than last year

Overall donations down

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Star-Bulletin staff

More than 3,000 employees of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility workers pledged charitable donations of over a half million dollars for next year in a monthlong charity drive.

According to final results from the 2002 Combined Federal Campaign, the workers donated $537,508 to various charities participating in the campaign, according to Capt. John A. Edwards, shipyard commander.

"After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the shipyard stepped up and raised a record $470,000 for last year's campaign," he said.

They increased the amount by almost $60,000 this year, despite a "rough economy," he said. The theme of the 2002 campaign was "Standing Together as One."

The average donation of the approximately 4,600 employees was $176 per donor.

Brendan Cravalho, shipyard campaign coordinator, said, "Shipyarders are legendary for their generosity, and the use of payroll deductions, enabling the donor to deduct a small amount from their paycheck each month, is the key."