Press Releases

Novartis Supports Community with Record-Breaking United Way Campaign

Pictured left to right:  Kevin Rigby, vice president of Public Affairs and Novartis United Way Campaign chair; John Franklin, CEO of United Way of Morris County; Alex Gorsky, Head of Pharma North America and CEO, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; and Kathy-Jo Hayden, director of Public Affairs and Novartis United Way Campaign director.

February 13, 2007 – Morristown, NJ – Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, headquartered in East Hanover, NJ, demonstrated its continued commitment to the Morris County community, announcing that the company's 2006 United Way employee giving campaign was the most successful in company history.

Employee contributions totaled $453,000, up a dramatic 34% over the 2005 campaign.  When combined with a corporate gift of $450,000, the total Novartis 2006 campaign will contribute more than $900,000 to help those most in need in local communities throughout the country.

"I couldn't be more proud of these results," says Kevin Rigby, vice president of Public Affairs and Novartis United Way Campaign chair.  "This demonstrates what we've have always known -- that Novartis associates care about helping others and are very generous."

Novartis' partnership with United Way of Morris County dates back not only to the company's beginnings ten years ago, but even further through its predecessor companies – Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz.

"The United Way campaign was extraordinarily successful at Novartis for one reason: CEO Alex Gorsky, Kevin Rigby, and the rest of the leadership team made it a part of their business plan," says John Franklin, CEO, United Way of Morris County.  "With a team this dedicated to helping their company do its very best for the community, Novartis is a great model for corporate responsibility."

United Way of Morris County supports over 90 local programs that serve a wide variety of residents, including children, teens, families, seniors, caregivers, and the working poor.  Additionally, United Way supports seven specific "community initiatives," coalitions that bring resources, experience, and ideas together to solve pressing social issues, including increasing the supply of affordable homes, and supporting the County's 50,000 unpaid family caregivers.

Associates from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Corporation, and the Parsippany headquarters of Gerber Products Company and Novartis OTC participated in the campaign, which utilized the theme Building Strong Communities Together, a common goal shared by both Novartis and United Way.

"It's a wonderful collaboration," says Kathy-Jo Hayden, director of Public Affairs and Novartis United Way Campaign director.  "It's allowed us to help countless communities and their residents, and has offered numerous volunteerism opportunities for Novartis employees.  Together, Novartis and United Way are truly impacting the quality of life for those in need."

About United Way of Morris County
United Way of Morris County is dedicated to helping people and improving the quality of life for all residents. We address issues most critical to the future of Morris County by bringing attention, expertise, and resources to them. For more information, visit us on the web at www.uwmorris.org, or call 973.993.1160.

Contact 
Jean Funk
Marketing Communications
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x114
Email