United Way Campaign Update
To encourage employees to participate in this year’s Employee Giving Campaign, the Laboratory, with the help of many other individuals and organizations, is holding a number of special events and incentives. The goal of this year’s campaign is to raise $1.5 million. When coupled with the $1 million match from Los Alamos National Security, LLC, it means that more than $2 million will go to the United Way of Santa Fe County and United Way of Northern New Mexico for distribution to eligible nonprofit organizations.
Events already held included the annual book sale and a taco sale that together raised an additional $7,000 for the campaign. Employees throughout the Lab are encouraged to stage their own events to raise funds and campaign awareness. Deputy Director Ike Richardson, who is this year's campaign champion, has offered his prime parking spot for a month and a dinner date with himself and his wife as an incentive for employees to pledge to the campaign.
The fundraising efforts run through October 15.
Many Ways to Help Local Children
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico has a proven track record of helping children avoid problems with drugs and alcohol, improving school attendance, and increasing confidence in their relationships at school and home.
The organization needs volunteers (men in particular) to provide support to children looking for big brothers and sisters who can provide a needed boost to help them grow into caring, responsible adults. “Bigs,” as the adults are known, are not expected to act as counselors or to advocate for the children, but rather to befriend them and share time and areas of interest. It only takes a few hours each month to make a large and long-lasting difference in the life of a child.
If mentoring is not of interest, you might instead consider attending a fundraiser for the organization on Saturday, October 16, during the 2010 Mayor’s Ball in Santa Fe. The Mayor’s Ball is an annual event that highlights a local nonprofit organization’s programs. Tickets are $150 each, or a table for 10 guests can be purchased for $1,500. The event will include a cocktail reception, dancing, live and silent auctions, and world cuisine from some of Santa Fe’s finest chefs. As if that weren’t enough, Barbara Ingram, who specializes in clay and bronze sculpture, will be the featured artist for the event, and the "Wise Guys" will provide music.
You can obtain tickets by calling (505) 983-8360, e-mailing Monica at mmartinez@bbbsnorthernnm.org, or accessing a secure server online at https://secure.toolsfororgs.com/bbbsnorthernnm.org/ball.php.
For more information on the organization, to volunteer, or submit the name of a child who could use a big brother or sister, go here.