Savannah River Site continued its tradition of giving back by supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Salvation Army Angel Tree Program again this year.
Employees from Site contractors, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Savannah River Mission Completion, Battelle Savannah River Alliance and Centerra collectively surpassed the Site's goal of $25,000, donating a total of $42,084.
"This is a great opportunity for the company to demonstrate our support for the community" said Campaign Executive Sponsor and Senior Vice President Rick Sprague for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the managing and operating contractor at SRS. "I'm proud to be a part of SRNS, who leads this campaign every year."
In addition to the Site's donation, SRNS President and CEO Dennis Carr presented four checks of $5,000 each to Salvation Army of Aiken, Aiken Marine Toys for Tots, Salvation Army of Augusta and Augusta Marine Toys for Tots. Additionally, Centerra General Manager Mark Bolton presented a check of $6,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots foundation.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation provides hope to economically disadvantaged children during Christmas. "This year's campaign slogan is "If you want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, give something to someone who can offer nothing in return," said Megan Corbin, Toys for Tots Chair for SRNS. "By donating, you're not just giving toys or money; you're giving hope, happiness, and the power of a shared community."
In addition to the money donated, the number of angel adoptions for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program exceeded expectations with a total of 785 angels, from all Site contractors. There was a total of 10,551 toys purchased, which includes toys from donation funds and toys collected via box collections.
The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program puts new clothes and toys under the tree for 1 million children who usually go without Christmas gifts. Anonymous donors adopt these "angels" in an expanding Christmas tradition that makes the season more rewarding for the gift-giver and happier for the receiver.
Michael Good, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army of Aiken, said, "This wouldn't be possible without SRNS. Represented today are children from across Aiken County who endure poverty daily. This is so much more than a Christmas gift. This is a possibility of hope for a better tomorrow. I believe that the collective generosity of our community possesses the power to profoundly impact our future."
The Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Augusta, Georgia, services the following areas: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes and Wrens.
The Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Aiken, South Carolina, services the following communities: Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, North Augusta, Beech Island, Belvedere, Williston, Salley and Couchton.