LLNS announces recipients of $100,000 Community Gift Program for 2014

LIVERMORE, California– Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), the contract manager for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has announced the recipients for the 2014 LLNS Community Gift Program. These gifts, totaling $100,000, reflect LLNS' commitment to local communities.

LLNS received 89 applications totaling more than $850,000 in requests. Thirty-seven applications were selected for awards totaling $100,000 through a committee review process. The majority of these awards serve children in the Tri-Valley area and San Joaquin County, with a focus on literacy, science, technology, engineering and math education and cultural arts. Other recipients focus their charitable efforts toward veterans, senior citizens and those without homes.

Goldstein presented LLNS Community Gift Program awards to the following organizations:

• Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, San Joaquin County certifies foster families who will provide loving, stable and nurturing homes for abused and neglected children.
• Assistance League of Amador Valley, Operation School Bell provides clothing, school supplies, mentoring and tutoring to underserved school children in the Tri-Valley.
• Boy Scouts of America, STEM Encampment provides an environment to cultivate and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers and innovators.
• Central Valley Youth Symphony offers tuition assistance to young musicians, affording them the opportunity to play great symphonic music.
• Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland inspires and educates students of all ages about our planet and the universe.
• Del Arroyo 4H offers opportunities for underprivileged children to build confidence, learn responsibility and develop important life skills.
• Discovery Bay Odyssey of the Mind, International Problem-Solving Competition delivers the opportunity for gifted students to think outside the box in technical and engineering fields.
• Dublin Partners in Education Career Exploration delivers educational enhancement programs including a career exploration program that utilizes STEM speakers.
• Dublin Unified School District, High School Chemistry Program prepares students for college and a future career utilizing modern equipment in their science laboratories.
• Emerson House provides transitional shelter to homeless men in Tracy as well as security, hope, encouragement to seek employment and removing them from the streets.
• Exceptional Needs Network offers a free overnight camp for special needs children in Livermore’s Camp Arroyo.
• Good News Bears strives to help alleviate pain, suffering, loneliness, trauma, loss and fear by offering encouragement through the distribution of stuffed animals.
• Granada High School, Environmental Science and Biology Laboratories allow students to investigate technologies providing relevant and rigorous hands-on experience.
• Lammersville Unified School District, Altamont Elementary School prepares students with hands-on learning, placing amplified emphasis on STEM with its new science lab.
• Lammersville Unified School District, STEM and Enrichment Program prepares K-5 students for college and a future career with this comprehensive STEM program.
• Las Positas College Foundation, Biotechnology Program provides educational opportunities for learning and growth through hands on laboratory instruction.
• Livermore Area Recreation and Park District, Water Conservation Program interacts with students in classrooms and in the field, inspiring them to care about the environment.
• Livermore Public Library, Programming Is for the Birds encourages computer science leaning and exploration for local youth with hands-on learning using Finch robots.
• Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory High School promotes individuality while encouraging group dynamics including hands-on experience in its science laboratory.
• Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science (TOPS) brings local industry together with teachers to develop engaging lessons and demonstrations.
• Livermore Veterans Foundation makes available general and financial support to military veterans, including support for student veterans at Las Positas College in Livermore.
• McHenry House Tracy Family Shelter helps homeless families in San Joaquin County by providing backpacks, school supplies and a Homework Club for school-age children.
• Mohr Elementary, Project Lead the Way promotes STEM education bringing this program aimed to inspire elementary students to this school for the first time.
• Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers encourages youth to enter STEM careers through programs including the Museum of African American Technology.
• Reins in Motion promotes healing and growth to individuals with disabilities or life-altering/threatening issues by connecting them with horses, animals and outdoor educational activities.
• San Ramon Branch and Livermore/Pleasanton/Dublin Branch of the American Association of University Women, Tech Trek Summer Camp for Girls advances equity for women and girls through hands-on activities in math, science and related fields.
• The Taylor Family Foundation, Camp Arroyo Program enhances the quality of life for children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities and youth at risk.
• Tracy High School, Biotechnology Program provides students experiences in fundamental biotechnology techniques and opportunities to develop and implement independent research projects.
• Tracy High School, Science Program enables students to become skilled users of technology utilizing modern tools for conducting scientific investigations.
• Tri-Valley Haven, Food Pantry provides nourishment, creates homes safe from abuse and contributes to a more peaceful society.
• Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center teams with established community partners to provide financial literacy education for at risk young adults in the Tri-Valley.
• Valley Community Baptist Church, Food Pantry serves community members who cannot afford the basic necessities after the rent is paid.
• Valley Humane Society, Paws to Read Expansion Program provides education-based programs using animals to teach children to read as well as teaching them proper pet care.
• Wiesner Memorial Senior Fund helps seniors maintain independent lifestyles and provides emergency grant assistance for Tri-Valley seniors in need.
• Windemere Ranch Middle School, STEM Q&A: K-12 Science Trivia Program encourages students interested in STEM by providing a rewards-based computerized trivia program and an end-of-the-year competition.
• YMCA of the East Bay, Tri-Valley provides quality programs and services for children and families with STEM opportunities in their after-school programs.