Jingle & Mingle Brings Joy to the Johnson Workforce

by Sumer Loggins | 2023-12-12

The December 7, 2023, Johnson Space Center Jingle & Mingle event was a special occasion to spark holiday joy and commemorate the 25th anniversary of International Space Station achievements. Johnson colleagues and guests jingled and mingled, enjoying live entertainment, exciting activities, Santa, and SNOW!

Johnson Center Director Vanessa Wyche, Johnson Associate Center Director Donna Shafer, and International Space Station Program Manager Joel Montalbano provided welcoming remarks in the Gilruth Center’s Destiny Ballroom. NASA’s Associate Administrator Bob Cabana; Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails; and federal, state, and local government representatives joined for the memorable occasion.

A person in a festive sweater stands at a podium to speak in front of a room of people sitting at tables. — *NASA’s Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche gives opening remarks on December 7, 2023 in the Gilruth Center Destiny Ballroom to kick off the Jingle & Mingle celebration.*

Wyche expressed gratitude for the significant role Cabana played in the establishment and success of the space station, acknowledging the indelible mark he has made on the agency’s and nation’s history. Cabana was the commander of STS-88, the Space Shuttle Program mission that delivered the first U.S. element to help make up the orbiting laboratory.

“We would not be here celebrating a quarter of a century of the International Space Station without Bob Cabana,” said Wyche. “Together, we’ve accomplished so much in human space exploration to benefit humanity.”

Montalbano stated that international cooperation was a hallmark of space station operations. “Beyond the International Space Station serving as a beacon of innovation, operating the station is a symbol of global collaboration and a testament to what humans can achieve when we work together to benefit all,” he said.

Santa sits in a white chair and holds a child in his lap. Santa poses for a photo with two people wearing dresses while someone takes a photo of them on a phone camera.

Children and adults enjoy pictures with Santa during NASA Johnson Space Center’s 2023 Jingle & Mingle event.

The celebration continued as former Space Shuttle Program astronaut and former Johnson Center Director Michael Coats and Deputy Manager of the International Space Station Program External Integration Office Raphael Grau took turns playing Santa, to the delight of both children and adults.

The Jingle & Mingle festivities included:

• Ugly holiday sweater contest

• Winter wonderland with REAL snow

• Space Vehicle Mockup Facility scavenger hunt

• Pictures with Cosmo, Johnson’s inflatable mascot

• Astronaut meet and greets

• Face paintings

• Driven to Explore trailer

• Video game trailer

• Starport pop-up shop

A person dressed as Santa in red hugs a child wearing a plaid shirt with a black hood. They both are smiling. — *Johnson's Community Engagement lead Jessica Cordero gives a big hug to Percival Nehilla.*

A person in a blue jumpsuit gives a high five to a child in a black shirt as a child in a red shirt watches. — *NASA astronaut Nicole Mann high-fived guests during a meet and greet in the Gilruth Center Gymnasium.*

Three people in green tutus dance on stage in front of an audience. — *Bay Area Houston Ballet performed live in the Gilruth Center Destiny Ballroom.*

The event was supported by Starport with the help of over 100 volunteers. Guests were treated to performances by the Bay Area Houston Ballet, a live DJ, a Chick-fil-A cow, and a karaoke contest hosted by KrazyKaraoke4U.

Food and drinks were provided by Papa Johns, Chick-fil-A, and Nom Mi Street and Fuego food trucks. Sponsors for this year’s Jingle & Mingle event included Barrios, University of Houston-Clear Lake College of Business, Bastion Technologies, MRI Technologies, Wellby Financial, Leidos, Oceaneering, Boeing, and Kendra Scott.

A group of people pose for a group photo. — *Johnson volunteers pose for a group photo in the Gilruth Center’s Inspiration Room.*

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Scroll below for more pictures from the 2023 Jingle & Mingle celebration.

Images courtesy of NASA photographers Josh Valcarcel and Helen Arase Vargas.

People gather and celebrate during the holiday season.