PASCAGOULA, Miss., July 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Volunteers from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division recently helped freshen up the grounds and interior of the American Red Cross’ Pascagoula office. Participants in Ingalls’ Legacy Builders Executive Mentoring Program dedicated two weekends in June to the community project.

“Ingalls has been giving back to the community for 75 years, and this was an opportunity to continue that tradition and give back to an organization that is recognized for giving so much to people in need,” said Todd Thompson, risk manager at Ingalls.

The Legacy Builders Executive Mentoring Program matches up-and-coming Ingalls leaders with vice presidents from different shipyard departments to encourage the mentees’ leadership development and expand their knowledge and understanding of the shipbuilding industry. To develop leadership skills, mentees in the program are encouraged to plan and lead a community service project. The Red Cross Grounds Refresh Community Project was conducted as part of the Legacy Builders’ 2012-2013 community service program. In addition to this project, Legacy Builders also volunteered at various non-profit organizations throughout Jackson County.

“We are honored that the Legacy Builders selected Red Cross as one of their four charities of choice,” said Shirley Phillips, Pascagoula office coordinator for the American Red Cross’ South Mississippi chapter. “The amount of work they accomplished in a few short days is remarkable.”

Working both indoors and out, Ingalls’ Legacy Builders landscaped and performed ground maintenance in addition to updating the office with shelving, fresh coats of paint and a television installation. The team, consisting of Ingalls employees and their family members, also built a shaded sitting area for Red Cross volunteers.

“The Legacy Builders are transforming our Pascagoula office inside and out,” said Jay Huffstatler, South Mississippi chapter executive. “Their efforts are making our work areas and volunteer spaces more efficient and appealing.”

The South Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross services the following counties: Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone, George, Greene, Perry, Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Jefferson Davis and Covington.

About Huntington Ingalls

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. For more than a century, HII has built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder at its Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions. Employing about 37,000 in Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and California, HII also provides a wide variety of products and services to the commercial energy industry and other government customers. For more information, visit: