NORTHBROOK, Ill, Nov. 3, 2015 — Nearly 300 Astellas Pharma corporate services’ employees participated in a variety of activities on Oct. 28 to support the programming of Clearbrook, a Chicago-area nonprofit that provides services to people with disabilities. Employees helped contribute to Astellas’ annual global service day goal of 10,000 volunteer hours, in honor of its 10^th anniversary, by constructing bookshelves and assembling more than 600 craft kits, blankets and baskets to be used by the nonprofit to support families transitioning to independent housing. Earlier in the month, volunteers also helped beautify Greenbelt Forest Preserves, part of the Lake County Forest Preserves outside Chicago, by planting shrubs and collecting debris.

“The work Clearbrook accomplishes is remarkable when you consider they support more than 7,000 individuals and families, from children diagnosed with developmental delays at birth to the unique needs of seniors with disabilities,” said Jeff Winton, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, and chief communications officer. “The passion our employees show is a reflection of our commitment to changing tomorrow for people around the world.”

To help support Clearbrook’s mission, Astellas volunteers:

• Assembled 120 ready-to-use craft kits for art projects in their infant/toddler program.
• Assembled 100 blankets for children, adolescents and adults.
• Packed 70 early Thanksgiving dinner boxes.
• Assembled 50 new client welcome baskets for adults and seniors.

“The work completed here today by Astellas employees is truly invaluable to Clearbrook and the people we serve,” said Kristen Daniels, vice president of communications and event planning. “The kits, welcome baskets, and blankets will bring such joy to the children and adults at Clearbrook, and we’re very grateful for the support shown by Astellas.”

These efforts were a part of Astellas’ annual global service initiative, Changing Tomorrow Day. To date, Astellas employees have volunteered over 7,200 hours toward the goal of 10,000 hours by March 31, 2016. In addition to the events in October, Astellas employees in Chicagoland helped renovate a Cancer Wellness Center, packed food at two food banks and assembled blankets for wounded veterans on Sept. 11. Field-based employees will continue volunteering this year by cooking for patients’ families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the U.S. Outside of the U.S., Astellas employees in São Paulo, Brazil supported various projects at Projeto Arrastão, a nonprofit organization that supports families in need across the city’s neighborhoods. In Toronto, Canada, volunteers helped prepare Camp Trillium for pediatric cancer patients.

In September, Astellas awarded $100,000 Changing Tomorrow Day grants to the American Red Cross and Stop Hunger Now each to advance access to health and community development.

In addition to the annual global day of service, employees can volunteer up to five paid days a year at a qualified nonprofit of their choice through the Astellas Volunteer Time Off Program.

To learn more about Astellas and its commitment to Changing Tomorrow, please visit www.astellas.us.
 

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS.