When Santa Barbara becomes Santa Claus
When Santa Barbara becomes Santa Claus
Christmas signifies a time when families come together to share and celebrate. Yet, it is precisely this time of the year when gaps in family unity and the lack of funds are keenly felt by less fortunate members of society.
For children without families, or families who cannot afford to buy gifts, Christmas can be an emotionally painful season. In the spirit of Christmas, therefore, Bruker has supported local communities to bring a smile to children’s faces during this holiday season.
For a number of years Bruker’s Santa Barbara, CA site has made annual cash donations which employees use to buy and wrap gifts for the national charity, Toys for Tots. This annual holiday toy drive is run by the United States Marine Corps to distribute donated toys, books and other gifts to children whose parents are unable to afford Christmas presents.
Similarly, Bruker’s Tucson, AZ site has helped its local community during the festive period by ‘adopting’ a family. In some years, we have adopted a small group of children who do not have a family to go home to for Christmas. Through this adoption scheme, facilitated by Casa de los Niňos, Bruker and its employees have donated funds or gifts, and shopped for and wrapped gifts that have been requested by the families — items they have identified that will make their lives a little easier or better.
Both initiatives have garnered much support from our employees as demonstrated by their unwavering generosity. Supporting our local communities and those less fortunate has, if nothing else, proven one thing: a little can go a long way. Although we cannot make families whole, or solve all poverty-related issues, we and our employees try to share our good fortune and time so that we may bring a little joy to children at Christmas.