This spring, staff members at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory quickly realized the devastating effect the coronavirus pandemic was having on their surrounding community. ORNL responded by revamping and expanding its community engagement program, which has resulted in boosting donations to more causes supported by the laboratory staff and by managing contractor UT-Battelle.
The result after a summer Community Recovery Campaign is a greater than 25% increase in employee giving to a slate of community causes determined by the staff members themselves. Total payroll deductions for charitable giving will rise 17.6% annually. The overall campaign — employee and UT-Battelle corporate contributions combined — came through to total $818,500.
The pandemic quarantine struck local nonprofit agencies with a double blow: The shutdown hit during a peak time for spring fundraising activities, which were virtually all canceled, while the impact on the economy amplified the need for their services, particularly social agencies and food pantries that serve the area’s most vulnerable.
“We at ORNL have had the good fortune to be able to continue our work, and we recognize the needs in our communities,” ORNL Director Thomas Zacharia said. “Many of our neighbors have lost jobs, experienced contraction in their businesses or face uncertain futures. We have a responsibility to help where we can, and I appreciate each of our staff members who took part in this year’s campaign.”
As part of the newly envisioned employee giving program, Lab staff members were offered a slate of organizations to choose as recipients from the campaign. ORNL has since its earliest days supported the United Way. Giving options were expanded to include 19 additional nonprofit agencies that bolster the area services that include health care, food security, education, child and senior care and cultural activities.
The 19 agencies selected by lab employees — each featured in daily lunch and learn sessions — in addition to United Way were Community Shares, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, the American Museum of Science and Energy, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, East Tennessee Public Broadcasting Service, Free Medical Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries, Michael Dunn Center, Meals on Wheels, Nurture the Next (formerly Prevent Child Abuse), Remote Area Medical, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service and Zoo Knoxville.
Each selected agency, in addition to employee contributions, received a $2,500 corporate contribution from UT-Battelle. With United Way included, the agencies will receive a $97,500 corporate contribution in addition to employee contributions.
ORNL staff members are known for opening wallets and volunteering time and resources when needs arise, so the numbers are likely to continue to grow, said Katie Waldrop, who chaired this summer’s campaign with co-chair Jeremy Busby.
“The results of the campaign reflect what employees told us they wanted — more options to help people in their communities directly. Giving should continue to increase as more options are available,” Waldrop said.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
