Boeing employees help students lift off to a brighter future

From helped to helper–employee supports students during Liftoff for Learning, just as Boeing volunteers once inspired him.

September 12, 2025 in Community

Chris Silvano (right) and Oklahoma City teammates pack books onto buses with Boeing partner ReadOKC. The Book Buses visit Oklahoma City Public Schools, allowing students to select a book of their choice to add to their home library. (© Boeing photo)

In Everett, Washington, Boeing 777 team employees hosted a fundraiser which included a dunk tank that raised $4,000 and several school supplies in support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington. (© Boeing photo)

In Philadelphia, Boeing employee volunteers came together to build Rosie Riveters STEM kits for the Girl Scouts of Pennsylvania, helping inspire the next generation of innovators. (© Boeing photo)

In Jacksonville, Florida, Boeing teamed up with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball team and Communities in Schools to create a special school supply shopping experience for students. (© Boeing photo)

In Plano, Texas, Boeing employee volunteers stuff backpacks full of school supplies to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County. (© Boeing photo)

In Mesa, Arizona, Boeing employees and their family members packed the equivalent of 13,716 meals to benefit the organization Feed My Starving Children. Additionally, Arizona employees raised $7,050 to support students and teachers across the Mesa Public Schools District. (© Boeing photo)

In Jacksonville, Florida, a Boeing employee gives a backpack full of school supplies to a local high school student who threw out the first pitch at a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball game, bringing awareness to chronic student absenteeism in Duval County. (© Boeing photo)

In Philadelphia, Boeing employees volunteered at the Chester Upland School District Back-to-School Resource Fair, where Boeing and partner Sharing Excess distributed more than 600 bags of food on-site and donated another 600 to a local church—ensuring families had resources to take home as they prepared for the school year.

In Washington, Boeing employee volunteers dropped off backpacks full of school supplies in support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County. “Thanks to Boeing and Boeing employees, we distributed critical school supplies and backpacks to help students prepare for a successful start to the school year,” shared Robert Cannon, Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County vice president of Resource Development. “And the support doesn’t stop there—through Liftoff for Learning, our Clubs will also be stocked with much-needed supplies during our homework help program, Power Hour.” (Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County photo)

Some are just born with a spirit of giving back. Chris Silvano, Mobility, Surveillance and Bombers software engineer, is one of those people.

Since 2017, Silvano has actively volunteered for Liftoff for Learning, Boeing Global Engagement’s annual back-to-school drive that helps students return to school equipped with the necessary school supplies for success. Each summer, Boeing sites across the U.S. participate in this initiative, and Silvano has made it his mission to contribute.

One year, Silvano filled his personal SUV with school supplies and delivered them to Oklahoma City schools, witnessing firsthand the joy it brought the community.

“When I was in high school and a member of FIRST Robotics, Boeing employees were there supporting my classmates and I as we dreamed of our futures. Now, I can be there for the next generation as they dream of theirs,” shared Silvano. “At Liftoff for Learning events, you get to see positive reactions from the students, parents, and teachers. It brings me satisfaction to think I did my part.”

By the numbers: Oklahoma City employee Liftoff for Learning contribution results:

126 book sets donated
$7,030 – monetary donations by teammates
$6,250 – Boeing match of qualifying monetary donations
$5,895 – value of the books purchased
$5,802 – Boeing book match
$2,010 – volunteer match donation unlocked
$26,987 – total investment, including Boeing match, to the OKCPS Foundation

“As I continue to volunteer, I hope to inspire my fellow employees at Boeing to join in the effort and ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed,” Silvano said.