Playing Santa in Sydney

For the past six years, MSD Australia employees have been donating gifts to underprivileged children of all ages in Sydney. This initiative began in 1996 after we donated leftover presents from our company Christmas party. Since then, the number of gifts donated has risen steadily to a total of 325 gifts at Christmas 2001. Each year an MSD volunteer coordinator is responsible for collecting presents. Employees who are donating a gift get a nametag identifying the child by name and giving their age and interests. This ensures the children receive appropriate presents. The presents are handed over to the local Family Support Centre and then distributed to the children a week before Christmas.

This program means that underprivileged children receive a gift during the festive season which they may not have otherwise received. And it ensures that Merck continues its commitment to service to the community.