Shire Volunteers Give Back to Local Community
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Given that there are 30 SeriousFun camps and programs around the world, there are often opportunities for Shire employees to volunteer in their own backyard. Such is the case for Shire office employees in Southern California, where the SeriousFun camp The Painted Turtle is only a 45-minute drive away. On Saturday, May 13, The Painted Turtle hosted Corporate Volunteer Day and twelve Shire employees spent their morning helping to prepare the 174-acre site for the arrival of campers and their families. All SeriousFun Children’s Network camps provide life-changing experiences for children living with serious illnesses, totally free of charge.
Volunteers participated in outside projects such as landscaping, housekeeping, cabin preparation, painting, and trail maintenance. Some participated in organizing costume cabinets for the many skits put on by the campers or creating stuffed turtle pillows! At The Painted Turtle, each camper receives a custom turtle pillow created by volunteers that they take home and often use during hospital stays or while in treatment centers as a source of comfort and positive memories of camp.
Beth Glessner, Shire Regulatory Inspection Management and Intelligence Specialist in Westlake Village, California, built bedrails for the “Well Shell,” an area where campers may receive treatments or hangout if in need of a rest. “Being a part of creating an environment for the campers to enjoy this summer is a satisfying feeling, especially when the service is an honor.”
The day concluded with lunch prepared by camp staff and a tour of the facility where volunteers visited the specially designed gymnasium, pool, ropes course, and fishing pond.
Shire employees in Southern California have a history of commitment and active participation with The Painted Turtle and SeriousFun Children’s Network; Shire’s Los Angeles and Van Nuys facilities have actively supported the camp for nearly 10 years through volunteer participation and corporate sponsorships. To learn more about Shire’s partnership with SeriousFun, visit SeriousFun’s website.
