LLNS announces recipients of $100,000 Community Gift Program for 2015

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), the contract manager for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has announced the recipients for the 2015 LLNS Community Gift Program. These gifts, totaling $100,000, reflect LLNS' commitment to local communities.

LLNS received 78 applications totaling more than $695,000 in requests. Thirty-two 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 children, senior citizens and families in need of assistance.

Bill Goldstein, LLNS president and LLNL director, presented the awards during a reception at the LLNS office in downtown Livermore on Wednesday.

"I am honored to recognize and thank you, on behalf of LLNS and the Laboratory, for your service and contributions to our community," he said.

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

• Agape Villages Foster Family Agency, San Ramon, certifies foster families who will provide loving, stable and nurturing homes for abused and neglected children.
• Alameda County Community Food Bank, Children’s Food Distribution and Backpack Program, delivers pre-packaged bags of nutritious food to elementary school children in need.
• Blind Babies Foundation, A Program of Junior Blind, provides critical early childhood development services and support to children and their families.
• Central Valley Youth Symphony offers support to young musicians, affording them the opportunity to learn how to play 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.
• Exceptional Needs Network offers a free overnight camp for special needs children at Livermore’s Camp Arroyo.
• Faith Network of the East Bay, Science Horizons Program, gives Oakland elementary students learning opportunities in STEM.
• Green Valley Elementary, Teaching through Technology, teaches science to San Ramon Valley children through balanced, relevant curriculum in a collaborative and respectful environment.
• Heritage High School Robotics Team provides the opportunity for students to work together as part of an engineering team gaining real-world experience.
• Lammersville Unified School District, Altamont Elementary School, prepares students with hands-on learning, placing amplified emphasis on STEM with their new science lab.
• Liberty High School, Assistive Technology, supports special needs students with tools to help bridge the education gap.
• Liberty High School Engineering and Robotics Club promotes students STEM growth and exploration.
• Liberty High School provides materials and real-world experience aimed toward promoting the interest and involvement of underrepresented students in the hydrocarbons and petrochemical industry.
• Lincoln High School, Secondary Integration of Modeling in Math and Science (SIMMS), engages students in computer coding and scientific modeling.
• Livermore High School Calculus Camp removes students from everyday distractions and immerses them in the study and review of calculus.
• Livermore High School, Center for Innovation, inspires students interested in engineering design and innovation with a center for learning, creating, experimenting and inventing.
• Livermore Valley Charter Preparatory High School promotes individuality while encouraging group dynamics, including hands-on experience in their 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.
• Los Cerros Middle School provides challenge-based learning opportunities to inspire creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.
• Merrill F. West High School, Space and Engineering Academy, prepares students for careers in science through course work, activities, guidance and support.
• Millennium High School, Computer Science Education, provides rigorous academic curriculum through small project-based instruction.
• Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers encourages youth to enter STEM careers through programs including the Museum of African American Technology.
• Oakland Children’s Fairyland Inc., 4-Component Program, gives hands-on science opportunities for kindergarten students through Fairyland animal classroom visits.
• Sunflower Hill Gardens at Hagemann Ranch creates a sustainable special needs community for individuals and families with meaningful programs and activities.
• The 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.
• Tracy Friends of the Library, Robots and Fun for Education, encourages computer science learning and exploration for local youth with hands-on learning using Finch robots.
• Tracy High School, Science Program, enables students to become skilled users of technology utilizing modern tools for conducting scientific investigations.
• Tracy Sunrise Rotary Foundation serves the community by providing a shelter for battered women and their children.
• Wiesner Memorial Senior Fund helps seniors maintain independent lifestyles and provides emergency grant assistance for Tri-Valley seniors in need.
• World of Wonders Science Museum compliments the education of young children through hands-on scientific discovery.

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