Bellissima Magazine
March Issue
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Passionate People Making A Difference

More than 1,500 employees of Invitrogen Corporation will trade their microscopes and lab coats for tools and work gloves on May 1 to participate in the company's fifth annual Global Volunteer Day. This year's theme is "Passionate People Making a Difference." In one 24-hour period, Invitrogen employees are expected to log more than 7,500 volunteer hours to help the communities in which they live and work.

"Global Volunteer Day is the perfect opportunity to honor our longstanding commitment to making a difference," said Greg Lucier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Invitrogen. "Whether through cleaning up an outdoor site, or acting as mentors to the youth in our communities, Invitrogen employees have dedicated thousands of hours of time to important causes. We strongly believe in improving the human condition, not just through research, but by giving back to our neighbors and our environment."

On Global Volunteer Day, Invitrogen, a provider of essential life science technologies for disease research and drug discovery, provides each of its 4,700 employees worldwide with five hours of paid time to participate in volunteer projects. Employees identify and plan multiple projects each year from which they can choose, depending on their interests, time and physical exertion abilities. At Invitrogen's Carlsbad headquarters, approximately 500 employees participate in about eight different projects. In addition, Invitrogen provides additional information on volunteer opportunities year round, so employees can pursue long-term volunteer projects in the community.

"On the whole, we have a very active employee base throughout the company, both here an abroad," said Lisa Peterson, Community Relations Manager. "Whether a volunteer opportunity is company-sponsored or not, employees are involved in many projects throughout San Diego such as Komen for the Cure and Habitat for Humanity. This is definitely part of our culture at Invitrogen."

Global Volunteer Day is part of Invitrogen's Global Citizenship program.

The program is dedicated to supporting the communities in which its employees work and live through science education, volunteerism and donations to outstanding non-profit organizations. Invitrogen provides employees with a half-day of company time, transportation to each volunteer site and the resources necessary to perform each of the tasks.

Past activities have included cleaning and habitat restoration at the
Batiquitos Lagoon, and participating in an environmental education day
at the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad.

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