By Melissa Murphy/ MMurphy@TheReporter.com
Posted: 04/30/2009
Novartis employees Eric Hice (left) and Burno Ebneter (right) clean garden areas and prepare pots for planting flowers at the Vacaville home of Betty Gwinn. (Rick Roach / The Reporter)
Armed with paintbrushes and rakes, Novartis employees took time out of their work schedule to lend a helping hand to the seniors in Vacaville.
The 100 Novartis employees who volunteered Wednesday morning, work in conjunction with the city's Senior Home Improvement Program. The group from the pharmaceutical company visited 10 homes and raked, painted and planted -- anything the residents couldn't normally do or afford to do on their own.
"I think they're angels," said Betty Gwinn, as she watched the workers from her front porch. "They've been such a blessing to me. They're doing things that are hard for a female to do. I'm very appreciative of their hard work."
The group also trimmed her red geraniums and pink roses and helped
"They gave me this house because I like roses, gardening is one of my hobbies," said Diane Johnson, head of engineering at Novartis, who also was in charge of picking out plants for each of the houses.
Johnson added that the clear day made it easier to work.
"It's great to get out of the office," she said. "We live here and we want to be a part of the community. We want to give back."
Meanwhile, Gwinn picked up a broom and started to help out by sweeping.
"I've been energized," she said with a big smile.
At another location, Mayor Len Augustine and Rob Carter, the site head at Novartis, were painting a home that belongs to Thomas McCara and his mother.
Novartis has been involved in the community project for three years, since the company first located in Vacaville.
"We were new to the city three years ago, we were a new name to many people," Carter explained. "This is a great chance for us to show the Novartis spirit."
McCara, who is confined to a wheelchair while his mother is in the hospital, said he couldn't say thank them enough.
"Without them, we'd really be in a bad place," he said. "These are things I can't do myself. Knowing that there are people out there to help us is monumental. It makes our lives so much better. When my mom comes home, this will definitely lift her spirits."
This is the first year Augustine has participated alongside Novartis during the community day.
"I've been invited to the barbecues after the service day, but this year I wanted to help," he said. "We truly want to be partners and work together, this is one of the chances. It feels good to help."
The service day is part of Novartis' global outreach program, where each branch of the company is contributing to the surrounding areas in various ways. The Switzerland-based company operates in 140 countries.
"We are a big company, but we're not big in Vacaville," acknowledged Christina Pavlik, one of the coordinators of the service day. "It's great to give back. Everyone is so appreciative. We're very fortunate to have a really great staff. Vacaville has such a strong senior community and it's nice to help them and see positive results."
Novartis employee Jim Morgan throws pruned flowers into a collection pile at the Vacaville home of Betty Gwinn during Novartis Community Day. (Rick Roach / The Reporter) plant the white alyssum.
