Community Connection
HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program Rings in New Year
with Start of Cohort 7
On Monday, 35 students began an eight-week course that has the potential to change
their lives. The HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP) offers free construction
training to people who live around LAX, so that they can use their new skills building the
future of LAX and beyond. All of us at LAWA wish the new class the best of luck!
LAX Community Relations Hosts First Airfield Tour of New Year
Last Thursday, LAX Community Relations Division team members Teresa Braden and
Yena Ji gave the division's first airfield tour of the new decade. The first tour group of the
year was comprised of local aviation enthusiasts, including an engineering professor, an
aviation advocate and LAX fans. The group learned about upcoming developments and
new features that are coming in the next few years, such as the Midfield Satellite
Concourse (MSC) and LAX's Automated People Mover.
Local Boy Scouts of America Troop and Families Visit LAX, Los
Angeles Fire Department Station 80
Last Friday, LAX Community Relations Principal Public Relations Representative Harold
Johnson welcomed Boy Scouts Troop 594, along with the scouts' family and friends, to
LAX for an Aviation Career Tour. Troop 594 family and friends were excited to get up
close to the airplanes and hear about the different job opportunities and programs offered
by LAWA. The best part of the tour was getting a personal inside look at Airport Rescue
Fire Fighting Station 80, which is uniquely located on LAX's airfield. The firefighters on
duty were happy to give a behind-the-scenes look at their facility and fire trucks.
Holiday Happenings
Over the holiday period, LAWA staff and stakeholders gathered to bring the spirit of the
season to our neighbors and surrounding communities. Here are a few examples from the
past few weeks of how we all came together to spread warmth and goodwill throughout
the LAWA community.
Santa Claus and Los Angeles Airport Police Surprise Passengers
with Gifts on Christmas Morning
Santa Claus and the Los Angeles Airport Police Division (APD) handed out teddy bears,
candy canes and tree ornaments on Christmas morning. In what has become a Christmas
tradition at LAX, APD celebrated its fifth year of surprising travelers and their children on
Christmas morning with a visit from Santa Claus and his helpers. The annual event starts
early Christmas day as Santa Claus, APD officers and K-9 Teams make their way from
terminal to terminal handing out gifts to children and adults, posing for photos and
spreading the Christmas cheer.
LAX External Affairs Staff Wraps Gifts for Families with Playa
Venice Sunrise Rotary Club
Last month, LAWA External Affairs team members Maria Tesoro, Clarence Espinosa,
Mary Kim and Shezzell Johnson participated in the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club's
Holiday Gift Wrapping Night at the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce office. Together in
good cheer and company, attendees wrapped gifts for families in the club's "Adopt a
Family" program, one of which was adopted by LAX Community Relations. Pictured, from
left, lower photo: Mary, Clarence, Shezzell and Maria.
Van Nuys Airport Hosts Annual Adopt-a-School Holiday at Stagg
Elementary School
Last month, Van Nuys Airport hosted their Annual Adopt-a-School Holiday Event at Stagg
Elementary School in Balboa. Some of the featured guests were Stagg Elementary School
Principal Dr. Angel Barrett, Los Angeles Unified School District Deputy Director of
Engagement Michael Menjivar, Ninety-Nines San Fernando Valley (SFV) Chairwoman
Kimberly Chan, Van Nuys Airport (VNY) Chief of Operations Christian Moreno, VNY
Director of Public and Community Relations Diana Sanchez (who also served as the
event's emcee), Los Angeles Police Department Santa Sleigh Driver Juan Ceja, and Mid
Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Lionnel Zaragoza. The students were filled with
excitement as Santa and his friends greeted each student. Not only did Santa bring an
extra special gift for each of the more than 500 students, but he also brought with him a
cheerful snowman, a fun-loving reindeer, and a whimsical elf. VNY mascot Vinny also
joined in to bring joy, fun and laughter to the children. The event also showcased a
performance by Brettso the Great Magician, VNY holiday lunch bag gifts, and a check
donation from SFV Chairwoman Chan, who presented it to Dr. Barrett at the conclusion of
the event.
32nd Street USC Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School
Enjoy Fun and Festive Activities at Flight Path Museum
LAX Community Relations coordinated a fun and interactive event last month at the Flight
Path Museum and Learning Center for 25 fifth grade students from 32nd Street USC
Visual and Performing Arts Elementary School. The event, called “Santa’s Gingerbread
House,” included a behind-the-scenes airfield tour to introduce attendees to the world of
aviation, a Gingerbread house decorating contest, a sing-along to holiday music, and a
visit from Santa Claus, who read, "T'was the Night Before Christmas” to the students.
Santa also told stories and took selfies with each student. Each of the five winners from
the Gingerbread decorating contest received toys donated by LAWA employees. LAX
Community Relations hosts an event each year for young students.
Van Nuys Airport Shares Holiday Cheer with Mid Valley YMCA for
Annual Preschool Holiday Play
Last month, Van Nuys Airport Public and Community Relations Director Diana Sanchez
attended the Mid Valley YMCA Preschool holiday show in Van Nuys. The students worked
hard to prepare for their performance, which included various holiday songs. The children
were filled with excitement as Santa and his friends greeted each student with joyful
cheers and laughter. VNY was proud to contribute to this event by providing the costumes
for the Christmas characters.
LAWA Team Members Help Serve Holiday Dinner, Contribute
Toys to US VETS, Inc.
Last month, LAWA team members lent a hand and helped serve a holiday dinner to more
than 300 veterans and their families at the U.S. VETS residential dining hall in
Inglewood. Veterans from all military branches were represented as they feasted on a full
holiday dinner, including eggnog and a variety of desserts. They were entertained by a
local church choir singing traditional Christmas carols. The children received toys donated
by LAWA and other entities.
The LAWA team members also donated toys to the nonprofit's veterans and their children.
U.S VETS Development and Communications Manager Vicky Gallion visited LAWA to
collect the toys, which were given to the children and grandchildren of veterans living in
the nonprofit's Inglewood residential facility.
US VETS - Inglewood has served the community for over 25 years, and houses up to 600
veterans. In addition, they provide job readiness training and other supportive services to
veterans and their families. Upon receiving the toys, Ms. Gallion remarked, "Thank you so
much for the toy donation. We appreciate it and our new relationship with you and your
team!" Pictured, top photo: LAWA Executive Secretary Shezzell Johnson serves
attendees. Pictured, from left, lower photo: LAWA Principal Public Relations (PR)
Representative Harold Johnson, LAWA Principal PR Representative Gaby Pacheco,
LAWA Management Analyst Clarence Espinosa, Vicky and LAWA Community Relations
Director Maria Tesoro.
LINXS Staff Give Back at Holiday Season with Toy Donations
Last month, employees at LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) partnered with the
Salvation Army to provide Christmas gifts to local children in need. Through the Salvation
Army’s Angel Tree program, employees fulfilled the Christmas wish lists for families who
are in crisis as a result of medical issues, unemployment, homelessness, medical issues
or other difficult circumstances and who otherwise wouldn't have the resources to
celebrate Christmas. Employees collected gifts for 30 children. The Salvation Army
distributed these gifts to the families so that each child has something to open Christmas
morning. Pictured, front row, from left: Ashley Amparano, Haley Harleman. Back row, from
left: Carolyn Knutson, Grant Smith, Sharon Simpson, Melissa Williams, Nenita Cartagena-
Herman, Steve Krier and Rex Measom.
LAX ConRAC Partners Hosts Holiday Luncheon for Craft
Workers
In the spirit of the season, LAX ConRAC Partners (LAXCP) team members served up
some festive cheer to those building the future home of the Consolidated Rent-A-Car
(ConRAC) facility. A holiday luncheon was held in honor of 190 craft workers who are
currently working at the ConRAC site, showing LAXCP’s appreciation for the hard work
and dedication these men and women provide to the project throughout the year.
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