For Eric Moschetta, giving to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a way to honor his sister, who lives with the disease. “As I was growing up, I was aware of how different everything was going to be for her,” says Moschetta, postdoctoral fellow, process chemistry & engineering, AbbVie. “I think about how tough she had to be… she’s always been a source of strength for me. So my way of giving back is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the name of my little sister.”
During AbbVie’s Employee Giving Campaign (September 18-29), Moschetta and his U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico-based colleagues can select non-profit organizations to support. The AbbVie Foundation matches donations to more than 164,000 eligible charities, including schools, hospitals and a number of nonprofit organizations. This approach has yielded a 95 percent participation rate, compared to the 35 percent average of most workplace giving programs. (Source: Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy.)
As this year’s campaign kicks off, employees share their "way" of giving.
What’s Your Way?
Laura Mozdzen, senior pharmaceutical scientist, AbbVie
"Music is like any language – if you learn it while you’re young, it’s easier to pick up the vocabulary and have an appreciation of music in your daily life. I started playing the cello in 5th grade at Shumway Elementary School. There are a lot of life skills that playing in an orchestra taught me.
When I heard that the Employee Giving Campaign was going on, I wanted to give back to something that had an impact on my life. I thought about my elementary school music program and the way playing an instrument made a difference in my life. I wanted to help kids whose families maybe couldn’t afford to rent an instrument and, by giving to my elementary school, I knew a donation would have a direct impact on those kids. So My Way is the Shumway Elementary School Music Program, and giving all children an opportunity to make music and grow through playing an instrument."
Resie Flaherty, senior sales representative, AbbVie
“My husband and I have raised three kids, and when we became empty nesters a few years ago, I decided to join Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). We advocate for children in the foster care system. There are many parties involved with these kids, including case workers, lawyers, and both biological and foster parents. The CASA volunteer is an extra set of eyes and ears to work with all involved to see the big picture of what the child needs, and to make sure that it gets done – something as simple as a new pair of sneakers because they’ve grown out of the old pair, or as complex as mental health therapy.
The CASA motto is 'It takes a village' and that has been very inspiring for me. We can’t all be out there on our own, and it is so important to help look out for the most vulnerable members of our community – these kids in the foster care system. I’ve been acutely aware that not all kids have the opportunity and the stability that mine had, so My Way is CASA, to help those who have not been so fortunate.”
Joao Belo, senior director, public affairs, AbbVie
“My younger sister, Joana, is a beautiful, sweet person who captures everyone’s smiles. She’s 41 and has severe Down syndrome. In Portugal when Joana was born, you would hardly find a doctor who could tell you something about Down syndrome. There was no information and no Internet back then. My father, who was a lawyer and a professor, founded a special education institution in Portugal when Joana was a baby. Today, it’s one of the biggest special education institutions in the region, caring for people with all sorts of disabilities.
I moved to the U.S. two and a half years ago and I wanted to support an institution in this country that helps people, like Joana, to overcome their integration challenges. My Way is the National Association for Down Syndrome, and I do it for my beautiful sister Joana and all families who have a loved one with Down syndrome.”
Tameka Lewis, IT project manager, AbbVie
“My mom has always been an advocate for United Way, as a way to give back to our community. I look up to my mom for not only giving back, but also exposing us to that at such an early age.
Now, fastforward as I look at my life I’m doing the same thing as my mom, so when my kids get older, they can say the same thing I say. It’s a generational thing – I saw my mom give back to the community and now my kids are seeing me do it. Hopefully, when they graduate from college and become successful in their careers, they’ll make an impact on their community too. So My Way is United Way, and I’m doing this for my mom and my kids.”
Media inquiries:
Mary Kathryn Steel
Email: Mary Kathryn Steel
Call: +1 847-937-4111
