… volunteering for Novartis Community Partnership Day
Close to 400 Novartis Canada associates joined their colleagues around the world at the beginning of May to give back to their communities during the 23rd annual Novartis Community Partnership Day. They joined Novartis colleagues across six continents and 53 countries in supporting local non-profit organizations, giving a total of more than 100,000 hours of combined community service. One of the places Novartis Canada associates lent a hand to was the Welcome Hall Mission, which serves those in need in downtown Montreal, where they helped bag groceries.
… a proud way to start as country President
“Community Partnership Day is a great opportunity for us to give back”, said Novartis Canada Country President Christian Macher, shown here standing in the centre with colleagues helping to sort food donations at the Sun Youth Organization warehouse in Ville St-Laurent. “I am very proud to kick off one of my first days leading the organization by supporting the communities where we live and work. Together with all Novartis associates, I feel privileged to volunteer for these invaluable organizations and to participate in this inspiring day.”
… giving back to a centre that provides much-needed support to those experiencing cancer
Some associates went to nearby Kirkland where they helped spruce up the West Island Cancer Wellness Centre and prepared the garden for planting. It is a bustling community facility that provides support programs and services free of charge to people living with and being treated for cancer.
… giving inner-city residents a clean place to learn and grow
At Tyndale-St. George’s Community Centre, which provides empowering educational programming for downtown Montreal children as well as various teen and adult programs, associates helped clean and sort a supply room and helped clean some classroom space.
… helping Mother Nature preserve the natural order
Some associates spent Community Partnership Day outside in the rain working for Héritage Laurentien to remove invasive species of plants which threaten native species at Parc des Rapides along banks of the Lachine Rapids of the St. Lawrence River in LaSalle, a suburb of Montreal.
… lend a hand to support adults with mental health challenges
At Omega Community Resources, a non-profit community organization providing support and assistance to adults experiencing mental health challenges in Dorval, near the Novartis head office, associates helped out by preparing vegetables for cooking, as well as with gardening and light cleaning.
… sorting clothes to help neighbours in need
Associates sorted donated clothes to be distributed to those in need through the Welcome Hall Mission.
Kathleen Greenfield, Coordinator of Community Relations for Volunteer West Island, helps Novartis organize the day through the group’s Corporate Volunteer Program. “Novartis employees often return on their own to volunteer with the groups they first get to know through Community Partnership Day. They also encourage their friends and even their children,” she said. “The groups eagerly welcome back the teams from Novartis and are very appreciative of their help.”
Community Partnership Day is a symbol of the company’s commitment to make a difference in the communities where associates live and work.