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Shire Donates $1.4 Million To Philadelphia Boys and Girls Clubs

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia has received a huge grant from a local pharmaceutical company.

Shire Pharmaceuticals, of Chester County, Pa., has given the group $1.4 million.

Al Mollica, interim CEO of the local Boys and Girls Clubs, says the money will be used to help needy kids learn about robotics and other technology, and gain skills in the digital arts including web design.

"At the top of my list is the fact the we're going to be able to challenge our kids to learn more about how to use  technology in a high-tech world," he told KYW Newsradio today.  "We're going to be able to address the deficiencies that exist with kids that are underserved."

Mollica says the clubs help up to 13,000  local school-aged kids each year.  The five-year grant will also enable the organization to create up to 13 new jobs.

 

 

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