SCRANTON, PA – September 17, 2015 – Tonight, at the 8th annual Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser, VaxServe and Sanofi Pasteur executives announced that more than $230,000 has been raised for three local nonprofit organizations, which includes a significant donation made by VaxServe and Sanofi Pasteur.
At the “Jazzin It Up” event held at POSH at the Scranton Club, a check for the grand total was presented to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Employment Opportunity and Training Center (EOTC), and Marley’s Mission.
“We wish to thank the community for stepping up and making this the most successful fundraiser to date in the history of this event,” said Al Thomas, associate vice president and general manager, VaxServe. “As a native of Lackawanna County (where VaxServe is headquartered), I am grateful for my neighbors and colleagues who have joined together like never before in support of these organizations. I am also appreciative of our VaxServe employees who volunteer for these organizations regularly, thereby enhancing the quality of life for their clients, and further strengthening these community partnerships.”
Since the Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser was initiated in 2008, more than $685,000 has been raised to benefit Lackawanna County children and families in need. Combined with prior totals from the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraisers, more than $2.5 million has benefitted Northeastern Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations through Sanofi Pasteur’s ongoing signature fundraising programs.
“The Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser is just one example of the strong community initiatives our company has in place,” said Frank Epifano, vice president, North America & Global Finance, Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur. “Over the years it has been our priority to support the communities in which we work and live and align ourselves with organizations focusing on protecting one of the most vulnerable populations – at-risk children and families.”
In addition to providing a significant monetary contribution, VaxServe and Sanofi Pasteur once again covered all event expenses. As a result, 100 percent of sponsorships and ticket sales directly benefitted the three nonprofit organizations.
“The funds we receive from this event support EOTC programs for high-need families,” said Sharon McCrone, EOTC executive director. “That includes nearly 3,000 children and adults each year, with more than a quarter of these families having a child with a disability or developmental delay.”
“With financial assistance from VaxServe, Sanofi Pasteur and the community, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania has been able to serve over 1,000 children annually, in part through more than 30,000 meals and snacks provided during the school year,” noted executive director Tricia DiBiasi Thomas.
According to April Kemp, Marley’s Mission founder and program director, “Funds received through this event have allowed us to serve 357 clients since 2010.”
For the evening, POSH was transformed into a jazz club with music provided by Marko Marcinko’s Jazz Quartet with vocalist Erin Malloy and Music for Models. Approximately 200 guests enjoyed a variety of delectable food and desserts.
Corporate and Media Sponsors for the 2015 event included: Lavelle Strategy Group, Meshoppen Stone, Nature’s Way Purewater Systems, Inc., SCE Environmental, Shalata’s Land Clearing and Unique Building Systems (Presenting Partners); C.C. Young Insurance Agency, Comserve, Erie Insurance, New York Yankees and Mary Rhodes (Silver Partners); A. Rifkin Company, Embrovac, Family of Richard “Dick” Burne, Florin Farms Hatchery, FOX-TV, A Friend, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Joyce Outdoor Advertising, LaMar Advertising, Maple Lawn Associates, McNees Wallace & Nurick, Posture, Red Bird Aerial Video Productions, Scranton Label, The Krebs Restaurant, Vector Security and WNEP-TV (Bronze Partners).
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.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi had core strengths in diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and 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 infections 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