In 2020, Devon Energy employees launched Project Santa to brighten the holiday season for Eddy and Lea County families in southeast New Mexico. This year the program broke previous records in collecting Christmas gifts for families in need.
The company’s employees delivered 1,698 presents to the United Way in Lea County and Angel Trees in Eddy and Wink counties, dramatically exceeding last year’s total of 1,200 gifts.
“We are blown away by the generosity of Devon’s employees,” said Lorena Castillo of the United Way of Lea County. “They delivered enough toys, games and other goodies to help more than 550 children in almost 300 families. It’s impossible to calculate how much joy they spread.”
As part of Project Santa, Devon employees divide up into teams for a friendly competition to help cross items off kids’ wish lists.
“At Devon, giving back is part of how we operate all year long,” Senior Community Relations Specialist Shannon Johnson said. “But there’s always something special about helping people out around the holidays. The need seems greater, and the impact feels even bigger. We are so glad to be able to help people in our community when they need it.”
Devon Energy, based in Oklahoma City is a major oil and gas operator in the Permian Basin which takes in the southeast corner of New Mexico.