Navistar Diesel of Alabama in Huntsville, Ala., has been named a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center Corporate Citizenship Award, the nation's highest honor for businesses engaging in corporate social responsibility.

Navistar Diesel of Alabama is one of 20 companies nationwide to receive this distinction, and one of five finalists in the U.S. Community Service category.

The company, which produces MaxxForce brand commercial diesel engines for Navistar's International brand trucks and other OEM customers, is recognized for a unique program that gave employees the opportunity to work in the community during a temporary lull in production. Instead of being laid off, employees provided valuable services to the Huntsville community. They refurbished homes for Habitat for Humanity, created numerous wheelchair ramps for CASA (Care Assurance Systems for the Aging and Homebound) and sorted inventory for the Salvation Army.

"This year's finalists exemplify that despite the current economic uncertainty, companies continue to care about giving back to their communities," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "They have made a difference on issues ranging from economic recovery to education to the environment."

"Our Employee-to-Volunteer program benefited everyone," said Chuck Sibley, plant manager, Navistar Diesel of Alabama. "Employees continued to receive their paychecks with full benefits, local residents received needed assistance, and Navistar was able to give back to the community while retaining valuable talent."

The winners in each category will be announced on Nov. 30 at the 2010 Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. For the U.S. Community Service and International Community Service categories, a peer committee that includes past award winners will select the winner.

Read more on the BCLC website.