Navistar International received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2010 U.S. Community Service Award for an employee-to-volunteer effort spearheaded by the company's Navistar Diesel of Alabama engine plant.


The award, given by the chamber's Business Civic Leadership Center, recognizes the Huntsville, Ala.-based plant's program that gave employees the opportunity to work in the community during a temporary lull in production.

Instead of being laid off, employees provided services to the local 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 is a very prestigious honor for a unique effort that made a meaningful impact in the community-and at Navistar. It was a win for everyone," said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar's chairman, president and CEO. "The local charities benefited because they received some much-needed help; Navistar won because we were able to retain a skilled and talented workforce; and our employees won because they were able to keep their jobs with full pay and benefits until production picked up."

The U.S. Community Service Award was one of four awards presented Nov. 30 in Washington, D.C., at the Chamber's Corporate Citizenship Awards dinner. The award is the nation's highest honor for businesses, trade associations and chambers of commerce engaging in corporate social responsibility. Navistar was one of 20 companies nationwide to compete for this distinction, and one of five finalists in the U.S. Community Service category.

"Despite-or perhaps because of - the tough economic times, companies like Navistar Diesel of Alabama are developing innovative ways to serve area community organizations and look out for their employees," said U.S. Chamber BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "We congratulate Navistar for winning the 2010 U.S. Community Service Award, and are delighted to share their story with other companies and communities going through similar situations."

All awards categories and finalists can be viewed at www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards.