Alvogen Day Cleanup participants gather for a group photo at the gazebo in Norwich’s East Park. (Photo by Bill Edwards)

NORWICH – On Friday, September 11, more than 300 employees of Alvogen stepped out into the community for the company's annual Alvogen Day of Service, now in its thirteenth year at this location.

Norwich Pharmaceuticals, an Alvogen company, closed its doors for the day so that employees could volunteer for community organizations across Norwich and the surrounding area. Projects ranged from landscaping and painting, to administrative support, and even cleaning animal cages at the SPCA.

“Alvogen Day is a day that we, as a company, we close our facility here, and we work between 20 to 30 different community organizations to assist them with many different kinds of projects,” said Luke Hess-Murphy Alvogen spokesperson. “We provide extra hands to help out with projects and stuff that they might not be able to have the opportunity to do so.”

This year's community partners include The Place, Norwich Fire Department, Norwich Police Department, the Chenango County SPCA, the City of Norwich, the Norwich BID, the North Norwich Community, and Rogers Conservation Center, among others.

Murphy, who launched the initiative in Norwich, estimates that employees have contributed more than 30,000 hours to local organizations over the program's 13 year history. Each year, Alvogen solicits project requests from nonprofits and community groups, then posts them internally so employees who want to participate can choose to sign up for individual projects across the area. Many employees return to the same sites/projects annually.

“We went from who would like to do it to actually closing down for the day and having all of our employees participate,” Murphy said. “Because the need to provide additional volunteers in the community kept growing and we're very happy to do that and look forward to many more years of doing it.”

When asked how Alvogen Day ties into the mission of Alvogen as a company, Murphy replied thoughtfully saying, “We're a company of care. We provide life-saving drugs to save people's lives, so it's all part of our mission of taking care of the communities we're in, that are also giving to us.”

Beyond this day of service, Alvogen supports the community by sponsoring local events like Colorscape and the Chenango Blues Fest, making donations to the United Way, and local food drives, and by encouraging employees to serve on boards and committees. When planning events like Alvogen Day, the company also purchases shirts, food, and supples locally.

Alvogen Day for Norwich Pharmaceuticals is always on the second Tuesday of September. This year, that date fell on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks to the World Trade Center. Organizers dedicated this year's Alvogen Day to the memory and honor of the victims and their families. They planned a moment of silence in the park, designed this year's t-shirts with a theme of remembrance, and took a team photo holding American flags.

Despite the facility being closed for the day, all employees are paid for the day. After a morning of community service, employees gathered at the Canasawacta Country Club for an afternoon picnic, raffle and games. A tradition meant to celebrate the workforce that makes the event possible.

“After 140 years, we're still very honored to call Norwich our home, and we truly value the partnerships that we have and that we've fostered over the years, and we look forward to many more years ahead,” Murphy said.

Alvogen is built off of the 140 year legacy of Norwich Pharmaceuticals which they acquired in the late 2000's. They develop, manufacture, and package pharmaceutical products.