Novo Nordisk Commits $250,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County

Challenge grant aims to alleviate major shortfall in state funding

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Mar 24, 2010, 03:20 ET

PRINCETON, N.J., March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company and leader in diabetes care, announced it will more than quadruple its financial support of the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County from last year with a $250,000 challenge grant in 2010.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100324/NY75966)

With New Jersey state government making difficult budgetary choices that at times impact communities most in need, Novo Nordisk is stepping up funding that will offset a substantial portion of loss to the Boys & Girls Club, such as after-school programs and services. The global healthcare leader has offered to match dollar-for-dollar all donations to the Boys & Girls Club's 2010 Annual Campaign up to $250,000.

"At Novo Nordisk, we recognize that the Boys & Girls Club is an essential resource for many families, including the 2,300 children and teens who rely on the organization for a safe and reliable environment to do school work, interact with positive role models, and be exposed to art, music, and sports," said Jeff Frazier, Vice President of Human Resources at Novo Nordisk and a Boys & Girls Club Board Member. "The Club's mission resonates with Novo Nordisk's long-standing commitment to social responsibility. We are proud to provide funding, initiatives and volunteers to help sustain vital programs that provide hope to children in our community."

Last year, Novo Nordisk donated $60,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County to support after-school programs, teen career preparation, and summer camp scholarships. Employees also volunteered at day camps, offered diabetes health education programs, served as career mentors, and coordinated an innovative paid summer internship program for local high school seniors at the company's office in Princeton.

"The partnership that the Boys & Girls Club has established with Novo Nordisk has created opportunities for our members to gain new and, for many, otherwise unimaginable opportunities," says the Boys & Girls Club's Executive Director, David Anderson. "Novo Nordisk's extraordinary contribution will have a tremendous impact on helping the Boys & Girls Club maintain its commitment to youths during these challenging economic times. The generosity of Novo Nordisk in both funds and volunteerism will continue to play a dramatic, positive role in the lives of our members and increase their ability to reach their full potential."

About Boys & Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County

Since its founding in 1937, the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton has provided high-impact, affordable programs and services that enable youth to mature into productive, caring and responsible adults.

Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton gives more than 2,300 children and teens a safe place to go, ongoing relationships with caring adults, and life enhancing programs and experiences that build strong character and leadership qualities.

The Club helps children stay safe when they need it most – after school, on weekends, during the summer – and where they need it most – in communities with prevalent crime, poverty and substance abuse.

The Club provides hope and opportunity for young people, ages 6 to 18, in 11 Club locations that offer six core programs focusing on education, technology, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation; life skills, and leadership development. For more information, visit bgctrenton.org.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to social responsibility to employees and customers, environmental soundness and economic success. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,300 employees in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchange in Copenhagen and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk