Community Service and Giving

The main goal of LLCO's Community Service and Giving is to engage Lincoln Laboratory employees in activities to support worthy causes and contribute to the overall quality of life within and outside of our community. We strive to raise awareness to local needs by organizing fundraising and outreach events that support selected charity organizations. The LLCO endeavors to provide a diverse range of opportunities for employees to volunteer their time and resources.

  • Support Our Troops program
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Hike & Bike the Berkshires
  • 5K Fun Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA)
  • Community Giving Used Book / Clothing drives

Support Our Troops

The "Support Our Troops" program accepts a variety of donated items (PDF) which are packaged and sent each Friday to military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Names and APO addresses of soldiers associated with the Laboratory community or Hanscom AFB are given to the program coordinator by Lincoln Laboratory personnel, many of whom have family members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Care packages are also sent to Lincoln Laboratory employees who are serving an active duty commitment as part of a guard or reserve unit. There are currently over 50 military personnel on the care package list. Packages are sent on a rotating basis, so everyone receives a care package every few weeks.

Each care package contains a letter from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a variety of donated items, and a note from the person who put together the package. Military personnel new to the program's address list receive a note explaining how we received their address, and we always tell them how proud we are of them for serving our country. Donation boxes are located in the Main Cafeteria.

Paula Jones - DonationsHeather Bassett CPT, SP, was one of the military personnel who received care packages from the "Support Our Troops" program. Heather has completed her tour of duty and has safely returned to the United States.

Message from CPT Heather Bassett:
"Thank you so very much for the care packages that you sent to me for my unit!  My name is Heather Bassett and I am a physical therapist working for the 134 BCT (brigade combat team) out of MN. I am attached to this unit from the Army Reserve. I have been deployed since March 2006 and I am working in a troop medical clinic in Tallil, Iraq. This base has over 9000 soldiers and you helped to support them through your generous donations!  I set up a table in our clinic so that when soldiers came in to the clinic, they take what they needed or wanted.  Thank you so very much for all of your support!  Your kindness touched a lot of soldiers!"


Recently requested items for care packages:

  • Dunkin Donuts coffee
  • Old Fashioned Quaker Oatmeal (unsweetened)
  • Boston Herald newspaper
  • DVDs (new or used)

Full list (PDF) of suggested items to donate—thank you for your support!

If you would like to provide addresses of military service members to receive packages, please send the information to Joanne Knoll, 781-981-3020, troopsupport@ll.mit.edu.

Certificate of Appreciation to MIT Lincoln Laboratory / Photographs (PDF) from U.S. military's "Operation Iraqi School Supply" and "Operation Help a Village."

Past Events

March 10–14, 2008
Community Giving at MIT—Used Books/DVDs/CDs Drive

March 17–26, 2008
Sale of Used Books/DVDs/CDs

The MIT/Lincoln Laboratory Community Giving Campaign held a used book/DVD/CD drive from 10 to 14 March. Books of all types, including text books, paperbacks, coffee table books, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, as well as DVDs and CDs were donated. After the drive, all donated items were for sale in the Main Cafeteria from 17 to 26 March. Proceeds from the sale are given to the MIT Community Service Fund (CSF) and Community Giving at MIT. For more information, please contact Anne Buono, 781-981-7032.

September 29, 2007

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hike & Bike the Berkshires

As part of Lincoln Laboratory’s Community Outreach (LLCO) Special Events effort, the Laboratory participated in the 2006 MS Society’s “Hike & Bike the Berkshires” event by entering a six-member team of Laboratory staff. This team’s fundraising was so successful that the Laboratory won the "Top Corporate Fundraising Team – Rookie” award.

LLCO expanded its involvement in 2007 to include both hiking and cycling teams, which totaled 24 members. The hiking and biking teams were able to raise $5415 to support the MS Society.  Photos of the 2007 Hike & Bike may be viewed here.  LLCO would like to thank Lincoln Laboratory's 2007 Hike & Bike team members for their participation and all who supported this event!

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter will use funds collected from this event to not only support research for a cure tomorrow, but also to provide programs that address the needs of people living with MS today.

View a short slideshow of the day's events.slide show

July 23–August 10, 2007

Support Our Troops Drive

From July 23 through August 10, 2007, the Lincoln Laboratory Community Outreach (LLCO) program held a successful Support Our Troops drive, packaging 81 large boxes of food, toiletries, and entertainment items donated by Lincoln Laboratory personnel. The packages were shipped to military service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. The LLCO would like to thank everyone who contributed donations, helped pack the boxes, and/or supported this effort in any way—the response was overwhelming and your generosity is appreciated!

Noon, May 23, 2007

5K Fun Run

Sponsored by MIT LL Fitness Center and Lincoln Laboratory Community Outreach.

Event Details:

  • The route is 5K in length, beginning at the Fitness Center.
  • Water and healthy snacks are provided at the finish line.
Registration Information:
  • Fee: $5 entry fee, plus optional cash donation to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts*
  • Sign up begins at the Fitness Center beginning May 14th

* Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of people with intellectual disabilities. Through successful experiences in sports, SOMA's athletes gain confidence and build positive self-images, which go with them in their homes, classrooms, jobs, and communities. For more information, see the Special Olympics of Massachusetts web site.

May 18, 2007

MS Society Award Ceremony

Library Atrium

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society presented an award to Lincoln Laboratory for its support in the MS charity ride held in the fall of 2006.

May 18, 2007

Soldier's Thank You

Library Atrium

Kyle McHugh of the 10th Mountain Division would like to express his thanks to MIT Lincoln Laboratory for sending him care packages through the Support the Troops program. Kyle is currently on leave and will soon return to Iraq for another six-month deployment.

April 10, 2007

"Packing Party" for Troops Drive

Main Cafeteria

A special thanks to everyone who donated to the Support Our Troops drive held March 26 through April 6 and to those who helped pack boxes to send to the troops—the response was overwhelming and your generosity is appreciated!

Packing for Troops 1 Packing for Troops 2 Packing for Troops 3
Packing for Troops 4 Packing for Troops 6 Packing for Troops 7
Packing for Troops 8 Packing for Troops 9  

 

January 23–26, 2007

Community Used Book Sale

Main Cafeteria

All books donated during the used book drive will be for sale in the Main Cafeteria from Tuesday, 23 January, at 8:00 a.m. through Friday, 26 January, at 2:00 p.m. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Community Giving at MIT campaign.

January 8–19, 2007

Community Giving Clothing Drive

Donation Drop-off: Main Cafeteria

New and used clothing will be donated to Shelter, Inc. (an emergency and family shelter), Salvation Army, CASPAR (an alcohol and substance abuse program for homeless men and women), and On The Rise (a shelter for domestic violence survivors and homeless women).

January 8–19 and January 23–25, 2007

Community Giving Used Book Drive and Sale

Donation Drop-off: Main Cafeteria

Used books will be accepted January 8–19 in the Main Cafeteria. All donated books will be sold on January 23–25 in the Main Cafeteria.

Events of Past Years

 

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