PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division raised $12,000 for Special Olympics of Mississippi at the company’s third annual “5K on the Causeway” on Saturday.

“It was a great turnout with more than 700 participants this year,” said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls’ vice president of human resources and administration. “We have a faithful contingent that continues to return every year, and that demonstrates our employees’ dedication to a healthier lifestyle. All of that hard work and enthusiasm creates a very special event that raises money for a very special organization. We are already looking forward to next year’s race.”

The money raised by the 5K adds to the $30,000 Ingalls has given to Special Olympics of Mississippi in 2014. Earlier in the year, Huntington Ingalls Industries donated funds so the Special Olympic athletes could attend the national games in New Jersey. Irwin F. Edenzon, former Ingalls Shipbuilding president and Special Olympics of Mississippi board member, was instrumental in ensuring the Mississippi athletes were well represented at the national games in June. At the race on Saturday, he was presented a framed T-shirt signed by all of the Special Olympics of Mississippi athletes who attended the national games.

“We are grateful for the folks at Huntington Ingalls Industries and all who participate in the 5K on the Causeway race for helping Special Olympics Mississippi provide for our athletes,” said Tony Bahou, president and CEO of Special Olympics of Mississippi. “Ingalls is committed to supporting Special Olympics of Mississippi and our athletes throughout the year, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

The top male shipbuilder runner was Keith Evans, and the top female shipbuilder runner was Amanda Whitaker. Special Olympics athletes designed and hand-painted wooden medallions that were given to all participants as they crossed the finish line.

About Huntington Ingalls

Huntington Ingalls Industries designs, builds and manages the life-cycle of the most complex nuclear and conventionally-powered ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.  For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder.  HII also provides engineering and project management services expertise to the commercial energy industry, the Department of Energy and other government customers. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 39,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: