Lab concludes successful Holiday Drive
Elva Trujillo, left, and Christina Stadelmaier of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) Division Office make a final check of packages that will be delivered to 105 children as part of an ongoing holiday tradition at the Neutron Science Center at Technical Area 53. For the past four years, LANSCE has been working with the New Mexico Department of Human Services on HSD's 100-plus Special Children program. Through the program, HSD locates children in need and LANSCE employees help brighten the holidays for each child with a complete outfit, shoes and a toy. The mountain of gifts will be taken to HSD for distribution on Friday.
Photo by James E. Rickman, Public Affairs
 | Kerry Swain, left, and Amanda Farmer, of Swinerton Builders of Arvada, Colo., load Holiday Drive gifts into a Salvation Army container for delivery to less fortunate children and families in Northern New Mexico. In the background is Bob Parnell of the Salvation Army. Swinerton Builders is a Laboratory subcontract company.
|
| A roll-off cart is filled with toys and other items donated by Laboratory workers as part of this year's Holiday Drive. Rapunzel Barbie dolls, Play Stations and game cartridges were among the favorite toys requested by children this year, according to Debbi Wersonick of Community Relations Office (CRO). |  |
The annual Holiday Drive sponsored by the Lab and coordinated through the Community Relations Office collects new clothes, toys and nonperishable food items for individuals and families in Santa Fe, Española, Los Alamos, Taos, Las Vegas and other Northern New Mexico communities. "The response to this year's Holiday Drive from Laboratory workers was again overwhelming," said Wersonick. "Nearly 50 families and 400 children were 'adopted' through the Angel Tag program and several Laboratory organizations conducted special holiday programs for less fortunate individuals and families," said Wersonick. "Because of the generosity of Lab workers, many families throughout Northern New Mexico will have a brighter holiday season." After today, any Angel Tags and Holiday Drive donations should be taken to CRO, 1619 Central Ave., downtown.
Photos by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs
