ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – More than 200 Sandia National Laboratories employees, contractors, retirees and family members are using their October weekends to participate in the nationwide Make a Difference Day. For more than 10 years, Sandia has been providing opportunities for employees to participate in the event, which impacts local nonprofit organizations.
“Sandia has a long and rich history of serving our communities, and we are proud to continue that tradition,” said Kim Sawyer, deputy labs director and executive vice president for mission support at Sandia.
The Make a Difference Day project at the Sandia Base Elementary School will be open to the media from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 27. Interested media should contact Stephanie Hobby at shobby@sandia.gov or (505) 280-3905.
This year, Sandia will be sorting and packaging food for Roadrunner Food Bank, decorating pumpkins with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, conducting nanochemistry experiments with students at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, landscaping the grounds of Sandia Base Elementary School, and repairing and extending a fence at Shandiin Child Development Center. In addition, the Sandia Women’s Action Network will sort clothing for Barrett House Attic Thrift Shop.
And, during the first part of October, Sandians have the opportunity to donate items and funds to a drive for care packages for the Rio Grande Valley Blue Star Mothers. Then, 10 Sandians will sort and package the donated items for U.S. troops.
Make a Difference Day is the nation’s largest volunteering event and is known as “the national day to help others.” Nationwide, the event is the fourth Friday and Saturday of October, but Sandia volunteers decided to make the most impact by extending their efforts through the entire month.
Make a Difference Day is celebrated in nearly every city and state across the country, and last year, more than 3 million Americans joined together in the spirit of service. Sandia partners with several businesses in Albuquerque to help, and this year, 2,000 people are expected to join the effort in Albuquerque and the surrounding area.