The Boeing Company's [NYSE: BA] Washington-based employees provided holiday gifts for thousands of people in need during the company's Spirit of the Holidays drive, held in November and December 2008.

During the charitable drive, Boeing works with community partners who screen and select clients requesting assistance. Aware of the growing community hardship in Washington state, Boeing employees bestowed holiday gifts for 736 underprivileged families, 910 seniors and 3,012 foster children.

The Spirit of the Holidays drive also offered employees a new e-giving option in 2008. The online system was a huge hit with employees and raised an additional $126,000 to buy gifts for hundreds of children in foster care with the state's Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Boeing employees continually open their hearts and wallets for those in need, despite the downturn in the U.S. economy, said Fred Kiga, Boeing vice president of State and Local Government Relations and Northwest Global Corporate Citizenship.

"Boeing Puget Sound employees have a solid reputation when it comes to stepping up in support of our local communities," Kiga said. "The Spirit of the Holidays drive provides ways for Boeing employees to make a positive difference in the lives of others who might not otherwise receive holiday gifts. Because our employees 'adopted' participants and filled their wish lists, thousands of people had a much brighter holiday this winter."

Randy Hart, interim assistant secretary, Children's Administration, DSHS, thanked Boeing Puget Sound employees for their dedication to communities in the state.

"During these very difficult economic times, this is a generous and wonderful contribution from Boeing workers that benefited thousands of foster children," said Hart. "Boeing has been supportive of this agency in many ways. The company and its employees are valued partners in supporting Washington state's most vulnerable children, and we thank you for all you've done."