ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sandia National Laboratories continues a more than 50-year tradition of generosity with donations of gifts of shoes, toys, gift cards and food. This year, more than 500 children benefitted from Sandia’s longest holiday tradition, Shoes for Kids, which was started in Sandia’s early days by two scientists who opted to buy shoes for needy children instead of buying each other Christmas gifts. The program continues to grow with employees now contributing about $12,000 every year.

“Strengthening the community where we live and work is a high priority for Sandia and its employees,” said Amy Tapia, Community Involvement manager at Sandia Labs. “The generosity of our employees is inspiring. Whether it’s donating needed items or volunteering on Make a Difference Day, Sandia volunteers want to help our neighbors who are struggling to provide for their families.”

Sandia’s holiday giving traditions begin in November with Take a Turkey to Work Day. This year, 217 families received a turkey through Roadrunner Food Bank. In addition, Lockheed Martin Corp., on behalf of Sandia, provided $15,000 to support Roadrunner efforts to feed New Mexico’s growing number of hungry families. Other annual traditions include providing gifts to more than 400 children in foster care, adopting families in need and providing gifts to children whose parents are deployed.

To learn more about Sandia’s charitable efforts, visit http://www.sandia.gov/about/community/index.html.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, 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