Laboratory employees make record contribution to Santa Fe County 2002 United Way campaign

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206 (03-063)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., May 12, 2003 -- Employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory were recognized recently at a ceremony in Santa Fe as a top contributor to the United Way of Santa Fe County's 2002 giving campaign.

University of California Laboratory employees pledged or donated $122,357 to the Santa Fe campaign, said Richard Marquez, Los Alamos' associate director for administration. Marquez was Los Alamos' chairperson for the campaign.

At a United Way of Santa Fe County awards reception in the downtown Eldorado Hotel, the Laboratory received awards for top employee campaign, top corporate/employee campaign and one of the campaign's top 10 companies for commitment to community priorities. The latter award signifies nondesignated contributions to the United Way of Santa Fe County.

"Our Los Alamos employees can take pride in this accomplishment," said Interim Laboratory Director Pete Nanos. "Once again, Laboratory personnel have shown through their generosity that their community is important to them and that they are eager to help the less fortunate."

"The growing strength of the relationship between the Laboratory and United Way of Santa Fe County is something we're very happy about," said Ron Stevens, United Way of Santa Fe County executive director. "The donations will be used to help children learn and grow, encourage self-sufficiency, provide services to the elderly and promote health and healing."

The 2002 United Way of Santa Fe County campaign raised $1.2 million.

The most recent Los Alamos/Northern New Mexico United Way campaign raised $1.1 million, surpassing the campaign goal of $1 million, said Raul Rodriguez, executive director of the Los Alamos/Northern New Mexico United Way. Of this amount, Laboratory personnel pledged or donated $747,389, he said, which includes a $25,000 donation from the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation.

Rodriguez noted that the Laboratory also received special recognition for its contributions to the Los Alamos/Northern New Mexico United Way campaign.

The Laboratory's annual United Way giving campaign begins in September.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, developing technical solutions to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.