Lockheed Martin Employees Celebrate Make a Difference Day

In celebration of Make a Difference Day, which took place on Saturday, October 25, and is the nation's largest single day of volunteerism, Lockheed Martin employees donated hand-made blankets and stuffed animals to Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare’s (FSLH) Pediatric Department.

More than 110 blankets and 130 stuffed animals were donated by Lockheed Martin. The company employees participate in numerous community projects throughout the year and have been donating blankets and toys to FSLH for four years in honor of Make a Difference Day.

“All of the blankets were hand-made and a lot of time was put into each one,” said Arlene Stanulevich, a database coordinator at Lockheed Martin who has been with the company for 28 years. “Our employees put their heart and soul into this project because they know it is going to put a smile on a child’s face. It makes us feel really good to make a sick child’s day a little bit brighter.”

Melissa Racioppa, FSLH’s Child Life Specialist, is very grateful for the generosity Lockheed Martin’s employees have shown towards FSLH.

"Being in the hospital can be a very uncomfortable and scary experience for a child,” said Racioppa. “Lockheed Martin’s donation allows us to provide comfort to our patients by giving the children their very own blanket and stuffed animal to cuddle with.”

Make a Difference Day is a national day of helping others. In 2007, more than three million people across the country performed thousands of charitable acts. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make a Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.

For more information, contact the FSLH Communications and Marketing Department at (315) 624-5600.