Novartis volunteers provide more than 3,000 hours of service to local charities as part of the 20th Year of the Novartis Community Partnership Day

At St. Lawrence Cheshire, an organization that enhances the lives of people affected by physical or neurological disabilities, Alcon volunteers helped with essential grounds work, gardening and painting. “We cannot thank Alcon enough for their support in giving us this wonderful gift,” said Sarah O’Neill of St Laurence Cheshire.

Also Alcon volunteers worked to improve existing gardens by creating ‘Mucky Kitchen Play Zones’ at the Brothers of Charity in Ballincollig and Mahon Family Resource Centre, Cork.

Novartis Ringaskiddy were involved in 5 projects supporting local charities in Cork, including: A community Clean Up and the annual Senior Citizen’s Lunch in the Cafeteria in Novartis.

Volunteers also did significant renovations in Cara Junior School and in Kilmoney Lodge in Carrigaline and a fun ‘On Yer Bike to Basel’ challenge, in aid of Focus Ireland.

Members of Novartis Dublin organised a 1916 Commemoration event in St Mary’s Centre Nursing Home and Independent Living, on the Merrion Road.  The event included a talk by Irish historian Pat Liddy; 1916 music and traditional Irish Dancing.

Other Dublin Projects included providing assistance at the Irish Cancer Society warehouse; improving the grounds of Cheeverstown house and MS Ireland; organising a clothes drive for the Simon Community and helping to assemble emergency packs for those affected by the migration crisis. A trip was also organised, in conjunction with Croi Galway, for stroke survivors to the Cliffs of Moher.  In total, Novartis employees across Ireland donated more than 3,000 volunteering hours.