WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Navistar International Corporation received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 U.S. Community Service Award for a program that allows employees of the company's Alabama diesel engine plant to volunteer with organizations during lulls in production rather than being laid off.

The award was one of four presented during the Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizenship dinner Nov. 30 in Washington, D.C. The award is the nation’s highest honor for businesses, trade associations and chambers of commerce engaging in corporate social responsibility. Navistar competed with 19 other companies nationwide and was one of five finalists in the U.S. Community Service category.

Instead of being laid off, employees provided valuable services to the local community. They refurbished homes for Habitat for Humanity, created numerous wheelchair ramps for CASA (Care Assurance Systems for the Aging and Homebound) and sorted inventory for the Salvation Army.

“This is a very prestigious honor for a unique effort that made a meaningful impact in the community—and at Navistar. It was a win for everyone,” said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar’s chairman, president and CEO. “The local charities benefited because they received some much-needed help; Navistar won because we were able to retain a skilled and talented workforce; and our employees won because they were able to keep their jobs with full pay and benefits until production picked up.”

“Despite—or perhaps because of – the tough economic times, companies like Navistar Diesel of Alabama are developing innovative ways to serve area community organizations and look out for their employees,” said Stephen Jordan, executive director of the U.S. Chamber's Business Civic Leadership Center.