LLNS kicks off annual community gift program

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) is kicking off its annual community gift program to benefit local and area non-profit organizations for 2009.

The program provides up to $100,000 in funding to support organizations addressing science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) education, community service and philanthropic needs in communities having a large population of Laboratory employees. Nonprofit California educational institutions, IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, and government agencies serving Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties are eligible to apply. Gifts will be awarded in amounts from $1,000 to $20,000.

Established in 2008, the program received more than 140 applications for grants in its first year. Twenty applications were selected for awards, the majority of which served children in the Tri-Valley and San Joaquin County, with a focus on science and math education and cultural arts. The gift program is funded through the LLNS management and does not come out of the Lab's budget.

"LLNS is committed to being a good neighbor in our local communities, and that includes helping other organizations assist those in need," said George Miller, LLNS president and LLNL director.

More information on LLNS and its community gift program is available on the LLNS Website. For an application, go to the Gifts Web page.

READ project needs volunteer literacy tutors

If you can read this, you can help someone else who can't. Become a volunteer literacy tutor. A free tutor training workshop will be held at the main Livermore Library on Monday, July 13, from 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Plan to attend both sessions. To register or for more information, call 373-5507. The READ Project is a service of the Livermore Public Library.