Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award presented to Peg Bearbower

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (May 13, 2004) - One smile was all it took to get Peg Bearbower hooked on Special Olympics.

When Bearbower started out as a Special Olympics volunteer in the 1980s, she was taken by the determination and attitude of a participant named Sarah. Even though it took her 18 minutes to finish the 25-meter wheelchair race, Sarah’s determination never flagged and she flashed a broad smile as she crossed the finish line.

Sixteen years later, Bearbower remembers that smile as the one that drew her to the program and eventually led her to serve on East Central Iowa Special Olympics board. That work and her other volunteer activities have resulted in Bearbower being named the 2004 recipient of the Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award.

“You do these things because of what you get inside,” Bearbower said about her volunteerism. “I do it because I enjoy the people and rewards they get.”

Bearbower, who has worked at Rockwell Collins for 33 years, also helps mentor at-risk students in the Students, Parents, Adults Reaching Kids (S.P.A.R.K.) program. She also participates in Rockwell Collins’ Pen Pal Program in which employees correspond with elementary students.In addition, Bearbower assists homeless children in purchasing school supplies in the summer and Christmas presents in December.

Finalists for the 2004 Good Citizenship Award were Michael Sedlar, Principal Systems Engineer, Rockwell Collins’ Commercial Operations in Pomona, Calif. , and Sandy Scaia, Principal Export/Import Specialist, Cedar Rapids .

The Good Citizenship Award is annually given to a Rockwell Collins employee who exemplifies the company’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in its communities.

Rockwell Collins is a leader in the design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. Additional information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com.

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