West Pharmaceutical Services raise $25,000 for local charities

West Pharmaceutical Services employees around the world participate in the company’s West without Borders philanthropic initiative, which is designed to empower employees to give back to the areas where they live and work.Philanthropy has been a primary initiative at West for over 35 years and has continued to be of importance, despite the recent economic downturn. In fact, in past years West’s employees have raised funds for great global charities such as Africa Health Placements and Braille without Borders, among many others.For their 2011 campaign, West’s 300 employees at itsKinston facility have raised more than $25,000 for three great local charities, fundraising through events such as bake sales, raffles and other events:Shriners Hospital for Children, which delivers excellent care to children with orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases.Book Bag Buddies, a program that benefits children in Lenoir County designated as in need by the school system. Every week, book bags filled with food are provided to children who would otherwise go hungry on the weekends and on school closing days.Dare 2B Different, an after-school program for at-risk youth which includes computer classes, tutoring, arts, crafts and singing, as well as family counseling and meals. Since the program was founded, Dare 2B Different has had no high school drop-outs.The company presented Book Bag Buddies and Shriner’s with their donations Wednesday, October 12, and Dare 2B Different on Friday, October 14th.