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Published: 2011-09-09 13:55:00
Updated: 2011-09-09 18:25:05

GSK remembers 9/11, works to feed hungry children


GSK workers package meals for children in Haiti and Nicaragua on
GSK workers package meals for children in Haiti and Nicaragua on
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To commemorate the 10 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, hundreds of GlaxoSmithKline workers in Research Triangle Park spent Friday packaging meals to be shipped to school children in Haiti and Nicaragua.

“This anniversary is an opportunity to remember and to rekindle the spirit of kindness, compassion and service that helped make our nation stronger after the tragic events of 9/11,” Deirdre Connelly, president of North America Pharmaceuticals at GlaxoSmithKline, said in a statement.

GSK’s Philadelphia facility also packaged meals on Friday. The two facilities are packaging 120,000 meal combined.

"I feel no child should go hungry, but also 9/11 is very near and dear to my heart because I had a friend who was in the (World Trade Center) tower when it came down," GSK worker Alma Smalko said. "I actually worked in New York at the time, and we actually saw the buildings fall."

GSK partnered with international hunger relief agency Stop Hunger Now to package the nutritious dehydrated rice and soy meals that include dehydrated vegetables.

 “You’re demonstrating that by working together, we can make a difference,” Stop Hunger Now President Ray Buchanan told GSK workers. “By working together, we can attack something as large as world hunger.”


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For each of you who made a negative comment about GSK commemorating the 10 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks apparently you don't have a clue just how involved and how many organizations, communities GSK helps within our city, state, country, the world. They help schools, provide free medication, matches personal donations, it is countless how much GSK does for man-kind. Do some research before you lash out about a company that someday may help save your life. What have any of you contributed to lately?

Before anymore ignorance is posted there are a few facts that you should know. GSK for the past few YEARS has had an event where the employees volunteer in the community for a day. It is the workers choice who they volunteer with. This is a WORLD wide event for GSK. It is not an attempt to get publicity. You are ignorant if you think that GSK believes somebody will buy more PRESCRIBED medication because they volunteer for a day. It is an attempt to give back with no other agenda. The company use to just give everyone an extra day off and decided it would be better for the employees to give back on that day off. There were almost 500 people who volunteered for LOCAL charities in various counties on Friday from GSK Zebulon. As for the price of drugs that you complain about. It costs a lot of money to make drugs and also to fund research for new drugs. The point of having a company is to make money. No wonder we are in debt! Nobody is suppose to make money.

There are many organizations here in America that are fighting to end hunger among our neighborhoods and communities. www.feedingamerica.org and www.endhungerinamerica.org are just a few. How many of you, that are complaining about this not being for Americans, have either donated money or volunteered for an organization like Feeding America, or even a local food pantry? Before you go bashing someone, or an organization, for being kind, think about what you do to help your community, and ask yourself if you are doing all that you can. If you do help out then great!

Also, completing service projects is a great way to celebrate 9/11. I think that volunteering on 9/11 is a whole lot better than sitting at home on the couch watching the history channel about it for 8 hours. Way to go GSK, and all others who volunteered on 9/11 to help others who are less fortunate.

Propaganda. Really.

I think that helping others in this way is the best way we can honor those who passed away during that horrible event. It doesn't matter so much what it is, but just that they are helping others. SOme places are ringing bells, etc. Big darn deal....

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