Mayo AbbVie employees display exceptional community spirit once again
AbbVie employees from Westport have recently undertaken a major transformation of Carrakennedy National School, the adjacent Carrakennedy Playschool and Cushlough Community Centre, as well as dedicating time to prepare play packs for the national charity Children in Hospital Ireland, all as part of the global biopharmaceutical company’s 11th annual Week of Possibilities.
The initiative is the company’s signature community volunteering programme, empowering company employees to personally improve the localities where they live and work.
A total of 211 volunteers from AbbVie in Westport spent 768 hours giving Carrakennedy National School, the adjacent Carrakennedy Playschool and Cushlough Community Centre a makeover.
They transformed outdoor and indoor spaces by refurbishing a polytunnel into a learning area, clearing and reorganising storage spots and classrooms, repainting and refreshing facilities, improving pathways and drainage, and making the community centre safer and more usable.
Aideen McPaul, principal, Carrakennedy National School, Westport, said: “The Week of Possibilities has been just transformational for our school, and the volunteers have achieved so much. The enthusiasm of everyone, from volunteers to organisers, has given our whole community such a lift!”
In addition, 272 volunteers worked a total of 287 hours to assemble more than 4,000 play packs for Children in Hospital Ireland. The kits contain games, activities and crafts for children and young people in 24 hospitals across Ireland.
Niamh Lawlor, Information and Communications Officer at Children in Hospital Ireland, said: “At Children in Hospital Ireland, we are incredibly grateful for the donation of the 4,000+ play packs from AbbVie, coordinated with Volunteer Ireland.
"Thanks to this support, children and young people across 24 hospitals in Ireland received activities, games and crafts during their stay.
"The response to these packs has been incredible and have proven to bring some fun and distraction during what can often be a difficult and stressful time. Our impact would not be possible without the support from our community partners. Thank you for helping to make hospital a happier place."
Ben Schroeder, Site Head, AbbVie Westport: “During the Week of Possibilities, we felt the profound connection with our community and the power of giving back.
"Our AbbVie Westport employees truly inspired me with their remarkable passion and dedication to this wonderful cause.
"Supporting Carrakennedy National School, Cushlough Community Centre and Children in Hospital Ireland was a privilege and reinforced our unwavering mission to enhance the lives and health of our community members.”
At each Week of Possibilities location, AbbVie selects projects that meet the greatest needs of local communities. AbbVie partnered with the national volunteer development agency, Volunteer Ireland, on the design and implementation of the projects.
Across the company’s six sites in Ireland, hundreds of volunteers spent more than 3,200 hours working on improving projects in their local communities.