ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sandia Labs employees in New Mexico pledged to give a record-breaking $4.66 million to nonprofits through the United Way of Central New Mexico during the annual fall Employee Caring Program campaign. With contributions earlier from Sandia’s employees in Livermore, Calif., the total raised for charitable causes during 2011 was nearly $4.92 million.

“Our goal was to exceed last year’s donation of $4.3 million, and we are thrilled our employees and retirees are contributing even more this year,” said Kim Sawyer, deputy lab director and executive vice president for Mission Support at Sandia. “Giving back to the community where we live and work has always been a high priority for Sandia, and our employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of those around us.”

Kathleen Avila, chairwoman of the board for United Way of Central New Mexico, praised Sandia’s effort. “Employees at Sandia National Laboratories have been the backbone of the United Way of Central New Mexico annual fund drive since 1957, providing up to 20 percent of the dollars raised each year,” she said. “We have relied on Sandia to provide many volunteer leaders in each of those years and they have consistently done so. The corporate and employee citizenship of Sandia National Laboratories cannot be overstated or overvalued. United Way of Central New Mexico applauds Sandia for their exemplary commitment to our community.”

For the past 60 years, Sandia Labs employees have participated in the annual Employee Caring Program (ECP), which facilitates employee and retiree donations to the community through the local chapter of the United Way. Participants can designate their gift to any 501(c)3 nonprofit agency or to local community funds to help those most vulnerable locally. For two weeks last fall, ECP hosted fundraising and awareness events, including book fairs, socials and health walks. Retirees continue to contribute to the successful campaign, pledging more than $655,988 this year. Lockheed Martin, on behalf of Sandia National Laboratories, contributes $100,000 to the United Way Corporate Cornerstone program.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin company, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies, and economic competitiveness.

Sandia news media contact: Stephanie Hobby, shobby@sandia.gov, (505) 844-0948