As in previous years, the Laboratory combined several of its drives and campaigns into one seasonal push, with employees given several choices of how they wanted to get involved. They could donate to nonprofits or scholarships, support a toy drive by donating money or toys, or sign up for volunteer opportunities.
“Thank you to the Laboratory employees who have made such a positive difference for our neighbors across Northern New Mexico through their generosity,” said Lab Director Thom Mason. “They’re making this holiday season a little brighter in the region by supporting nonprofits, creating opportunities for students, and bringing some cheer to children in need.”
Giving by the numbers
Across the Lab, donations and gifts from all employees include:
- $2.2 million to the Employee Giving Campaign
- $360,000 to the Los Alamos Employees Scholarship Fund
- $23,935 and more than 200 toys for the Toy Drive, with 41 employees volunteering to sort and deliver gifts. This will contribute to supporting over 2,500 children across Northern New Mexico.
Supporting 16 organizations with toys
The monetary contributions to the Toy Drive will be used to purchase toys which, together with the donated toys, will be given to 16 organizations and agencies in the region working with children, including the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD), Casa Familia, Santa Fe Indigenous Center, Villa Therese Clinic, Las Cumbres Community Services, Jemez Pueblo, Big Brothers Big Sisters -Mountain Region, Boys and Girls Clubs of Generational Empowerment, and Pojoaque Pueblo.
This year the Laboratory is partnering with nonprofit the Northern New Mexico Toy Drive (established by Los Alamos-based EXIT Realty Advantage NM) to purchase and distribute the gifts.
Triad match: $0.50 on the dollar
Laboratory operator Triad will match a portion of each employee’s giving through the Giving Tool to charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in the seven counties in which the majority of Laboratory employees reside (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, San Miguel, Mora and Sandoval), and in Eddy County, where LANL also has a presence. This year’s match will be 50 cents on the dollar, providing additional much-needed support to the nonprofits in our region.