Novartis gives back to community

Employees filled in to the large cafeteria at Novartis's building in Dorval in great numbers this morning in anticipation of their day ahead volunteering with various local organizations to give back to the community, marking the 13th year the pharma giant's local branch has participated to the activity.

"It's just a big part of who we are," explained company president David Meek. "It's only natural that we give back to the community because we work here," he said.

Organizations helped out by the company's employees this year include the Teapot, a senior's drop in centre in Lachine, as well as Harvest Montreal, Centre Multi-Ressources de Lachine, and, for the first time, the West Island Cancer Wellness Centre.

"It's fun to try something new," said employee Jean-Charles Hébert, the team captain for those helping out the latter organization.

Hébert, a veteran of Novartis' Community Partnership Day for several years, also said this would mark a chance for him to give back to the community. "I don't have any direct relations in my family affected by cancer," he said. "To say that you're healthy like this, it's great," he continued, but others are not so fortunate.

Meanwhile, Denise Boyer, another veteran team captain, was looking forward to returning to the Teapot.

"The seniors look forward to seeing us and we look forward to seeing them," she said, explaining that a real rapport has been built between Novartis and the centre over the years.

Boyer said her experience there is doubly rewarding, since the Novartis team usually takes care of service during a special lunch which recognizes the hard work put in by the Teapot's regular volunteer staff. "So it's like the volunteers recognizing the volunteers," she said.

In a speech before his audience of employees, Meek highlighted the fact many of them already volunteer on their own time as responsible citizens in their communities. "This is the one time throughout the year that we all volunteer and do it together," he said.

Dorval Mayor Edgar Rouleau was also present at this morning's breakfast. He thanked Novartis and its employees for their continued partnership with the city. "I'm not saying that because this is an election year," he quipped.

Marlene Jennings, Liberal MP for NDG-Lachine, addressed the crowd with a recorded video message as she was away in Vancouver to participate to the Liberal convention.