GE Healthcare has donated Rs. 15 lakh ($25,000) to The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides mid-day meals to 1.3 million children across nine states and 19 locations in India, including the Sheila Kothawala Institute for the Deaf (SKID). Terri Bresenham, president and Chief Executive Officer, GE Healthcare South Asia, presented the cheque to Sridhar Venkat, Executive Director, The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Volunteering is a significant part of GE Healthcare’s culture, both as an individual employee activity as well as an organisational effort. This donation was a recognition Bresenham received from the chairman of GE Healthcare earlier this year for her imagination and courage. The donation will facilitate the provision of mid-day meals to over 1,000 students at four Bangalore-based schools for a period of one year.

“This was an absolutely delightful day. At GE Healthcare, we are at work for a healthier India. While the head speaks to driving business results, our heart speaks to another very important aspect of being a responsible organisation – that of being able to give back to our society. Being in the business of healthcare, extending this contribution to The Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide healthier food to these beautiful children could not have made more sense,” Bresenham said.

“At the heart of this spirit lies the desire to build, support and grow the communities we live in; not just monetarily, but in devoted time, unconditional love and human touch. My team and I look forward to various other opportunities in building a healthier and happier society,” Bresenham said. The GE Volunteer Initiative focusses on empowering students through education and community development. It supports four key areas – education, healthcare, community development and disaster relief.

The activities were among the many conducted by GE Healthcare volunteers in India. Currently, there are over 15,500 GE Healthcare employees across 12 cities in India. They contribute over 27,000 hours towards voluntary service annually. The volunteers work at schools, old-age homes and orphanages, and participate in the supply of mid-day meals. GE volunteers have been supporting the Akshay Patra Foundation for the last six years.

Source: FnBnews.com