Eleven Years of Sanofi Pasteur Community Fundraisers Raise More Than $2 Million, Positively Impacting Thousands Of Lives In Northeast Pennsylvania

July 31, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Earlier this month, at the 11^th annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser, Sanofi Pasteur executives revealed more than $2 million has been raised through its ongoing signature fundraising programs. These programs benefit critical Pennsylvania community non-profit organizations. 

The collective total included more than $185,000 awarded at the event to four local human services organizations benefitting those in Monroe County, along with prior fundraising totals from both the Pocono Mountains and Lackawanna County Community Fundraisers. Since its inception in 2004, the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser has grown to be the largest single fundraiser event in Monroe County, distributing more than $1.6 million. This year’s theme, “Together – Changing Lives in the Poconos,” emphasized the accomplishments mastered behind the scenes, thereby underscoring the event’s comprehensive focus in making a difference.   

“As a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and a site lead for Sanofi Pasteur’s US headquarters in Swiftwater, I am inspired by the actions of my colleagues at Sanofi Pasteur and Sanofi, along with our fellow community partners, who have rallied community pride and passion to meet the critical needs of our neighbors,” said Frank Epifano, vice president, North America & Global Finance, Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur. “These fundraising results are impressive, as are the stories shared by program beneficiaries whose lives have been forever changed.”  

The four non-profit winners selected by the 2014 Fundraiser’s agency selection committee, listed in alpha order, are: Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, Monroe County Youth Employment Services, Pocono Services for Families and Children, and Weller Center for Health Education.

Featuring a cross section of community-minded individuals, the agency selection committee represents organizations such as Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University, Farr Associates Consulting, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, Northampton Community College, Pocono Medical Center, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Ray Price Automotive Group, and Sanofi Pasteur.

The awarded dollars will help Monroe County Habitat for Humanity to provide a home preservation program -- allowing local homeowners who are affected by low income, age, or disability to make necessary repairs on their homes. Monroe County Youth Employment Services will expand its Project Success program, which offers local youth training in leadership, career direction, job shadowing, and work experience. Pocono Services for Families and Children will strengthen and expand its outdoor classroom in the Coolbaugh Township Complex Center, helping prepare local Head Start students for school and providing outdoor play and learning space for children in the greater community. The Weller Center for Health Education will deliver comprehensive substance abuse prevention programs to almost 1400 seventh and ninth grade students living in the Pocono Mountain School District. 

Past funding recipients number more than 20 organizations, including Burnley Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Equi-librium, Monroe County Meals on Wheels, Pocono Area Transitional Housing, Pocono Alliance, Women’s Resources of Monroe County, and others.

“As the director of a nonprofit, and also an active participant in the Community Fundraiser’s efforts to help other nonprofit leaders enhance their grant-writing skills, I see firsthand how this community-run and community-sustaining event is absolutely critical to the well-being of Monroe County as a whole,” said Michael Tukeva, executive director of Pocono Alliance. “Additionally, Sanofi Pasteur covering all event costs means every dollar raised goes directly to fund the work of the nonprofits’ programs, which makes a tremendous difference.”

Bob Phillips, president and CEO, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, and 2014 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser Volunteer Committee member, served as emcee for tonight’s gala, revealing the award amounts. More than 415 event supporters enjoyed a traditional New England-style lobster bake and dancing under a beautiful chandelier-lit tent at Skytop Lodge.

The 2014 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser corporate sponsors include Sanofi Pasteur and Skytop Lodge (Diamond sponsors); Publicis Groupe (Signature sponsor); Biosector 2, Capitol Counsel, East Stroudsburg University/East Stroudsburg University Foundation, Green Leaf Productions, Mattioli Foundation, Pocono Medical Center, Sanofi, Tunnell Consulting, Inc., W2O Group, and Weiler Corporation (Gold sponsors); Advanced Cleanroom Microclean, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, DrugDev, Kane is Able, Monroe County Bar Association, Mount Airy Casino Resort, PPL Electric Utilities, Relevant Solutions, LLC, Stone Office, Inc., Vigon International, Inc., and Wise Solutions, Inc. (Silver sponsors); and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Shining Star sponsor).

About Sanofi
Sanofi, an integrated global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers a broad range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us. 

Contact:
Ellyn Schindler 
Director, North America Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Engagement
Sanofi Pasteur  
570-957-2689 
ellyn.schindler@sanofi.com