Often described as “competitors by day, partners by compassion”, the Space Center Volunteers (SCV) is a mighty volunteer organization consisting of contract and civil space industry employees working together to promote NASA Johnson Space Center’s goodwill in their surrounding communities.

In working together, the aerospace community has contributed more than they could as individual companies. The organization’s foundation is not based on large corporate funds and sponsorships, but rather the combined spirit, enthusiasm, and tireless energy of the aerospace employees who consistently dedicate their time, answer the call when needed, and touch the lives of so many.

The following is just a small sampling of some of the community events the Space Center Volunteers have proudly supported:

Special Olympics– Since 2005, SCV has supported the two-day Special Olympics Texas-Gulf Coast Area 22 Spring Games, growing to nearly 200 volunteers representing 18 different Bay Area Houston companies as well as NASA JSC. Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the Spring Games from set-up to tear-down, however, the favorite role of the SCVs is well known to be that of ‘cheerleader’ for the competing athletes during events and medal ceremonies.

Elves and More – Supporting the Elves and More Bike Build has become an SCV holiday tradition. Together with other Houstonians at Christmastime, the SCVs congregate at the massive Reliant Center to help piece together thousands of bicycles for underprivileged children in the city who receive an unexpected gift from Santa on Christmas day.

Boys & Girls Harbor, LaPorte– A new activity in 2007, the SCV created a ‘Dream Day and Extreme Makeover’ experience for the children at Boys & Girls Harbor in LaPorte, a charitable, long-term care facility for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. The SCV team members created a space-themed event for the children, ages 5-18, at the Harbor. The children spent the day away from the Harbor at JSC learning about careers in the space industry and the history of manned spaceflight. While they were out, another SCV team was hard at work on an out-of-this-world space-themed makeover of their classroom, surprising them with an icecream and unveiling party when they returned from their space adventure.

Spirit of Texas Food Drive – As a naming sponsor for the KHOU Channel 11 Spirit of Texas Food Drive, SCV collected over 1,700 pounds of food in one day and raised $1,500 in cash donations. By joining together, member companies provided several drop points for citizens in the Bay Area Houston community, thus extending the reach of the Houston food drive.

SCV invites all government and contract employees, families and friends of the Bay Area Houston aerospace community to join under one banner as we celebrate and demonstrate the generous spirit of our community.