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2024 Together Days: GSK Voluntary Action in immediate response to the devastating floods in Thessaly

2024 Together Days: GSK Voluntary Action in immediate response to the devastating floods in Thessaly
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GLAXOSMITHKLINE ΜΟΝΟΠΡΟΣΩΠΗ A.E.B.E.

GSK is a global biopharmaceutical company aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030, prioritizing vaccine and drug research in 4 key therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, oncology and immunology, uniting science, technology and talent. 

GSK Greece counts more than 50 years of dynamic presence in the country and has more than 80 innovative formulations for respiratory diseases, HIV, rare diseases and oncology, while maintaining the broadest portfolio of vaccines in the industry, for the prevention of all diseases described in the National Vaccination Program for children, adolescents and adults.



Objective Action

GSK is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a dynamic mission and equally dynamic ambitions. Our mission is to bring together the science, technology and talent of our highly skilled workforce to overcome the evolution of disease, with the aim of positively impacting the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030.

GSK Greece, with more than 50 years of dynamic presence, offers more than 80 innovative vaccines and general & specific medicines for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions in the therapeutic categories of infectious diseases, HIV, immunology/respiratory and oncology/haematology. In addition, it is a leader in vaccine development and distribution, maintaining the broadest vaccine portfolio in the industry for the prevention of all diseases outlined in the National Vaccination Program for children, adolescents and adults.

GSK Greece's primary objective, in addition to being one of the six important pillars for achieving sustainable development, is to interact with society in order to holistically improve people's quality of life and to respond directly to emergencies that arise and have a negative impact on society.
The volunteer initiative "Together Days" reflects the company's commitment to social well-being and highlights the power of collective action by making a significant contribution to improving the daily lives of children, parents and the community.

GSK Greece's goal was to "bring back" the smile on the faces of the children living in Armenio Larissa, a goal that was achieved with the contribution of its volunteers/employees in the repair of the local kindergarten, which hosts children from 3 villages in the area: 9 children from the kindergarten and 15 children in total from the first and second grade of the primary school. 

 

Target Audience

The voluntary action took place in order to improve the living and educational conditions of the children of Armenio (village of Larissa) and the surrounding villages affected by the two disastrous floods in September 2023. 

 

Duration

The activity took place on Friday 19 January 2024. At the same time, during the previous period, visits were made to the site to inspect the situation and better prepare for the completion of the project. 


Description

On 19 January 2024, in line with the company's commitment to make a positive impact on the society in which it operates, GSK Greece held the volunteer initiative "Together Days", in the context of which more than 50 employees of the company joined forces, with volunteers from the NGO Humanity Greece, for the reconstruction of the kindergarten of Armenio Larissa, whose infrastructure was extensively damaged by the catastrophic floods that occurred in Thessaly in September 2023.


The reconstruction of the kindergarten included interior and exterior works and repairs, installation of turf and new toys, as well as the provision of new school equipment. GSK's initiative has greatly enhanced the local community, sharing smiles with young and old alike.


The project began with a prior visit by Humanity Greece volunteers to the Armenian area of Larissa, to carry out an autopsy of the site and check the conditions in order to prepare the premises for the completion of the project. Subsequently, communication and cooperation was established with local government officials and bodies, as well as with the competent authorities of the kindergarten facilities and the surrounding area.

GSK volunteers/employees from all parts of Greece gathered in Armenio, Larissa, and participated in the restoration of the infrastructure and reconstruction of the local kindergarten, with activities that included cleaning and painting the interior and exterior, carrying out general repairs, and building a children's lending library. 

In addition, they proceeded with the installation of composite turf, the maintenance and remodeling of the playground through the assembly and installation of new toys and instruments, provided new school equipment to the 2 classrooms, and visual art interventions were carried out by an artist from Art Hub Athens. 

This action, which came about after a thorough mapping of the needs of the affected areas of Thessaly, follows the company's first wave of offerings in September 2023, when GSK Greece responded immediately to the devastating floods in Thessaly, proceeding with the emergency collection and dispatch of essentials, through its employees, to the residents of the affected areas.  

The dedication of the volunteers/employees of GSK Hellas in carrying out the voluntary action with tangible results for the children, the experiential recognition of the contribution to the local community and the excellent cooperation with the volunteers of Humanity Greece, led to an emblematic project for the region, which transformed the image of the kindergarten as a whole and laid the foundations for further support actions that will benefit the local community.


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Impact on Society

The action was completed with complete success and resulted in the complete reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure of the school buildings from the deadly floods, so that the school facilities are immediately usable with new equipment and toys for the young students of the surrounding areas.   

More than 50 volunteers/employees of GSK Greece, together with the Humanity Greece volunteer team, delivered a renovated and modern kindergarten to the young students of the area and shared smiles and joy with the children and the entire community. 

The work included cleaning and painting the interior and exterior, carrying out general repairs, constructing a children's lending library, installing composite turf, maintaining and remodeling the playground through the assembly and installation of new toys and instruments, providing new school equipment to the two classrooms, while art interventions were also carried out by an artist from Art Hub Athens. 



Initiative Location

GSK Greece's "Together Days" initiative for the reconstruction of school facilities took place at the Armenio Primary Kindergarten in Larissa.  


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Working with Organization

For the planning and implementation of the initiative, GSK Greece collaborated perfectly with Humanity Greece, an NGO that has created the 1st Volunteer Coordination Centre in the country, thus seeking the immediate organized intervention of volunteers in any emergency that arises and the holistic support of those affected by the effects of the climate crisis. The overall supervision of the project was undertaken by GSK Greece in collaboration with V+O Greece.


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Workers Participation

For the implementation of GSK Greece's annual volunteer initiative "Together Days", more than 50 company employees from all over Greece joined forces with NGO Humanity Greece volunteers, gathered at Armenio in Larissa and participated in the restoration of infrastructure and the reconstruction of the local kindergarten.


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Benefits for Οrganization

As part of GSK's Corporate Social Responsibility, the benefits that have been achieved through its active involvement in the local community are as follows:


1. Development and fulfilment of social contribution to local communities affected by natural disasters.
2. Strengthening the voluntary activity of the company's employees.
3. Demonstration of positive results in the society as a whole through participatory effort.
 

 




Connection with Global Goals






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