SCRANTON, PA – September 26, 2013 – Reinforcing the strong foundation established six years ago with the launch of the Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser, Sanofi Pasteur – the vaccines division of Sanofi, and its wholly-owned subsidiary VaxServe, reaffirmed their commitment to “Framing the Future” for area children in need. Through the signature corporate citizenship event almost $75,000 was distributed to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Employment Opportunity and Training Center (EOTC), bringing the total funds raised over a six-year period to more than $395,000.
Sanofi Pasteur and VaxServe once again covered all event costs for the fundraiser. As a result, all monies raised through corporate sponsorships and ticket sales directly benefitted the two non-profit recipients, thereby maximizing the event’s impact. Additionally, U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and his wife Therese continued their support for the event, serving as honorary co-chairs.
“As a native of this area, and now an active member and leader of the Northeast Pennsylvania business community, this initiative has both professional and personal significance for me,” said Al Thomas, associate vice president and general manager, VaxServe. “While the funds raised are certainly a key part of this initiative, the true spirit and meaning behind this event lies with the collective efforts of an entire community to help secure the framework for a safe, nurturing, and inspiring future.”
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania and EOTC have been picked as repeated recipients for this event based on their strength and impact as individual organizations, and as a team,” noted Frank Epifano, vice president North America and Global Finance, Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur. “The synergies between these two groups and their ability to reach and assist parents and their children with critical support and resources are what create the sense of urgency as to why our work is not done here.”
In addition to Sanofi Pasteur and VaxServe, other corporate sponsors for the event included the Weinberg Foundation, Premier Sponsor; Lavelle Strategy Group, Gold Sponsor; ComServe, L.R. Costanzo, and The New York Yankees, Silver Sponsors; John P. Kearney & Associates, Advocate Sponsor; The Arohnson Foundation,The Commonwealth Medical College, First National Bank, Geico Insurance, Matte Burne Honda, and PNC Bank, Bronze Sponsors. Media sponsors included Joyce Outdoor Advertising, LaMar Outdoor Advertising, The Scranton Times Tribune, WBRE-TV, WNEP-TV, WOLF/Fox TV, WQMY, WSWB, and WYOU-TV.
“As a direct result of this fundraiser, we are able to assist families who ordinarily would not have support,” explained Sharon McCrone, Ph.D., executive director at EOTC. “There are waiting lines, and people who are not being served because the funding isn’t available. And so we are taking this investment and this confidence that Sanofi Pasteur and VaxServe have in us, and we are using those funds to conduct intervention that is critical to how children are going to be prepared when they enter school.”
“More than 80 percent of our members are from low income families, many from single parent households. We serve over 1,000 children every single year. And we have an average of 200-plus children coming in and out of our doors everyday,” reported Tricia DiBiasi Thomas, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA, underscoring the critical need for the funding. “Club members spend at least 30,000 hours doing homework, receiving tutoring and computer skills during their time here. Additionally, the club serves more than 30,000 meals annually.”
The Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser is a primary component of Sanofi Pasteur’s Community Relations initiatives, and complements the company’s annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser. During the past 10 years the company-driven event has raised more than $1.4 million for non-profit organizations serving Monroe County. Based on the impact of these fundraising initiatives, along with other contributions, Sanofi Pasteur was chosen as the Northeast Pennsylvania region winner for the first-ever Pennsylvania Governor’s Community ImPAct award.
The Lackawanna Community Fundraiser featured a delightful dinner of “comfort food with a twist” provided by Epicurean Delight, and dancing to the sounds of The Exact Change. More than 200 attendees were present for the event, which was held at the Scranton Cultural Center.
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 health care 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 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. For more information, please visit www.vaxserve.com.
Contacts:
Media Relations
Ellyn Schindler
T. 570-957-2689
ellyn.schindler@sanofipasteur.com