LLNL and Lawrence Livermore National Security raise record $3 million for local communities

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory employees, along with Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), have raised more than $3 million to give to the surrounding communities.

Laboratory employees pledged more than $2 million to the HOME Campaign (Helping Others More Effectively) – an annual charitable drive that benefits community and nonprofit agencies in the Tri Valley, San Joaquin Valley and Greater Bay Area. In addition, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, which manages the Lab, announced it would again this year donate $1 million in matching funds.

Today, elected officials from the Tri-Valley and Tracy, along with representatives from various non-profit agencies, attended a presentation at the Laboratory to thank employees for their efforts in raising the record-breaking amount that will benefit the community.

The total contribution, $3,026,151, represents the largest amount ever raised by Laboratory employees during the HOME Campaign’s 35-year history.

"I am enormously pleased and very proud of the generosity and commitment shown by our employees this year," said George Miller, LLNS president and director of the Laboratory.

"The local agencies benefit greatly from our HOME contributions. We are delighted to be able to make a difference in the community."

During the presentation to honor Lab employees’ efforts, several representatives from the agencies that benefit from the campaign explained how the donations would be put to use.

Carol Beddome of the Axis Community Health care spoke of a family struggling to meet the medical needs of their young daughter who suffers with a chronic and debilitating asthmatic condition. The girl’s parents were unemployed and had no medical insurance. Through the efforts of Axis Community Health care, the child is receiving medical care and is now excelling in school.

Since 1997, the HOME Campaign has raised more than $1 million annually through LLNL employee donations that go directly to agencies selected by employees. In 2007, the LLNS Board of Governors announced LLNS would match the first $1 million raised by Laboratory employees. The match has been offered annually since 2007.

The funds for the match come from the fee LLNS receives to manage the Laboratory, not the Department of Energy funds for the laboratory’s operations.

The HOME Campaign is one of the Tri Valley’s most generous annual charity drives, and is a major community support activity for the Laboratory. Through the campaign, Lab employees donate money via payroll deduction or one time donations to benefit more than 400 local agencies of their choice, including umbrella agencies such as the United Way and Tri Valley Community fund.