Employees Brighten Children's Lives

At the 2008 holiday party, Astellas employees assembled more than 1,500 toys for underprivileged children. Wagons, tricycles, scooters and hundreds of stuffed animals went to needy kids and craft kits and "sunny grams" were created for local hospitalized children.

Astellas also brightened the spirits of children by holding a holiday toy drive. Over 300 toys were donated by Astellas employees. The toys, along with the craft kits and "sunny grams" that were created at the holiday party, were brought by a group of employees to children to a local hospital. Remarked one Astellas volunteer, "Now I'm beginning to feel as though I'm getting close to experiencing the 'holiday spirit'."

Due to the overwhelming amount of donations through the drive, toys were also given to other local organizations in support of underprivileged kids.