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Shirley Lindsley of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at Technical Area 53 looks at some of the hundreds of gifts collected by LANSCE employees as part of the organization's "100-plus Special Children" effort. The toys and clothing items were delivered to the New Mexico Human Service Department's Española field office last week for distribution. Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs

LANSCE employees help make holidays brighter for Northern New Mexico children

One-hundred seventeen children from Northern New Mexico will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the generosity of Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) workers.

For the fifth year, LANSCE sponsored its "100-plus Special Children" program to collect toys and clothes for children in need, said Ginger Grant of LANSCE, coordinator of the effort. In November, Grant sent an electronic mail message to LANSCE employees asking them to consider purchasing gift items. Grant maintains a database of the names and ages of the children; she obtained the names of the children from the New Mexico Human Services Department. Grant asked LANSCE workers to bring purchased toys and clothes to the division office. The gift items were picked up by state agency personnel last week. Of the 117 children, 14 are children in foster care through Raindancers Youth Services of Albuquerque, Grant added.

Grant said the gifts were distributed by the state agency or delivered to families.

"Christmas is a journey of the heart, bringing peace and happiness to all," said Grant. "I just thought every kid should have a Christmas and these are the kids that need it the most," she said, explaining why she started the program. "I think every kid should have a new toy and new outfit for Christmas just so that they know they're cared for."

Grant added that many LANSCE employees enthusiastically participate and take their own children with them when they purchase gifts for the needy. "Some of our employees will pick a child to match their own child's age so their son or daughter can help them pick the gifts and learn about giving and the responsibility of helping others less fortunate," Grant said. "We think these kids love getting these gifts."

The LANSCE effort was separate from the Laboratory's annual Holiday Drive, in which Lab workers collected toys, clothes and nonperishable foods for children and families. This year, more than 500 children and 53 families also will have a brighter Christmas because of Laboratory employees' generosity. The Lab partnered with the Salvation Army to distribute items collected through the Holiday Drive to the less fortunate in Northern New Mexico.

-- Steve Sandoval

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