USA, Scranton, PA – September 22, 2011 – VaxServe, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi Pasteur located in downtown Scranton, and Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), once again demonstrated their commitment to local corporate social responsibility at their annual Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser. Now in its fourth year, the program raises money to help local children and youth in need.
The event, which raised a record-breaking $85,175, was held at the Scranton Cultural Center, and highlighted Honorary Co-Chairs and Lackawanna County native sons U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. and Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn. Both Senator Casey and Msgr. Quinn have supported the event in past years, which has raised more than $225,000 to date.
Senator Casey served as the 2010 Honorary Chair, and Msgr. Quinn was the emcee for the event at its inception in 2008. This year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Pennsylvania is joining the Employment Opportunity Training Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (EOTC) as an additional recipient of funds.
Once again VaxServe and Sanofi Pasteur covered all event expenses. As a result, 100 percent of ticket sales and sponsorships directly benefitted the two non-profit organizations.
“The Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser is just one example of the strong community programs our company has in place,” said Phil Hosbach, vice president, Immunization Policy and Government Relations, Sanofi Pasteur. “Over the years it has been our priority to support the communities in which we live and work and align ourselves with organizations focusing on protecting some of the most vulnerable populations – especially children in need.”
The “Leading the Way” Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser is an important part of Sanofi Pasteur’s Community Relations initiatives and complements the company’s annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser. During the past eight years the event has raised more than $1 million for non-profit organizations in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
“This year we have a new venue, a new charity and a new sense of hope for our children here at home, thanks in large part to the generous, committed philanthropic contributors who have supported this event year after year,” said Albert Thomas, general manager at VaxServe.
Corporate Platinum Sponsors for the event include L.R. Costanzo Construction Services Co., Inc., the Lackawanna Bar Association and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Silver Sponsors are Art Print Company and ComServe Systems. Bronze Sponsors include the Aronsohn Fund, PNC Bank, Community Medical Center, T-R Associates Inc., The New York Yankees, North Penn Charitable Foundation, First National Community Bank, and Vantagen. Advocate Sponsors for the event include Capgemini Consulting and Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations. In-kind sponsors are Lamar Advertising, WOLF/WQMY/WSWB-TV, Bold Gold Media Group, The Times Leader, Go Lackawanna, The Abington Journal, and WNEP-TV.
Sharon McCrone, Ph.D., executive director at EOTC, knows the challenges of operating a nonprofit organization in tough economic times. “The incredible generosity of VaxServe, Sanofi Pasteur and our community has made a positive difference in the services we provide at EOTC,” she said. “Proceeds from the 2011 Community Fundraiser will support EOTC’s child development program for infants and toddlers who have been identified at risk.”
“We are extremely pleased to receive funds raised through this great community event. Sponsors and attendees can take pride in knowing they are supporting our after school and summer day camp programs,” said Tricia DiBiasi Thomas, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA.
Together, the Boys & Girls Clubs and EOTC touch the lives of families and children in Northeastern Pennsylvania every day. Children who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs are often enrolled in an EOTC program with one or both parents or with a caregiver. Both organizations serve a diverse population that crosses economic, social, cultural and ethnic sectors.
More than 210 community fundraiser attendees were treated to a delightful autumn-themed dinner and danced to the music of Paul LaBelle and The Exact Change.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified 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, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. 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 the broadest 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
About VaxServe
VaxServe, a Sanofi Pasteur company, is a national healthcare supplier serving primary care physician offices, community immunization providers, immunizing pharmacies, travel clinics and corporations. Since 2000, VaxServe has offered customers professional service while providing a reliable supply of vaccines, injectables and medical/surgical products at competitive prices.
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Contacts:
Global Media Relations
Pascal Barollier
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pascal.barollier@sanofipasteur.com
www.sanofipasteur.com
U.S. Media Relations
Ellyn Schindler
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ellyn.schindler@sanofipasteur.com
www.sanofipasteur.us
