(3BL Media) Skytop, PA – July 26, 2012 - At tonight’s completely sold-out Ninth Annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser entitled, “Carrying the Torch for Our Community and Beyond,” four local human services organizations will receive donations totaling more than $185,000. This will bring the event’s nine-year sum to more than $1,250,000, reinforcing its standing as the largest single fundraiser event in Monroe County.

“As a native of Northeast Pennsylvania I have seen firsthand how the needs of this community have progressively grown during the past decade,” said Frank Epifano, vice president, North America & Global Finance, Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur. “Likewise, the Community Fundraiser has also grown and over time played an increasing role to meet these needs. Today I am honored to stand alongside our Monroe County neighbors -- representing Sanofi Pasteur -- as together we carry the torch, funding some of the area's most critical social service demands.”

This year’s four winners, selected by the 2012 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser’s agency selection committee, listed in alpha order, are: Family Promise of Monroe County, Pocono Alliance, Pocono Mountain Public Library, and the Salvation Army. The committee is comprised of a cross-section of community-minded individuals representing organizations such as East Stroudsburg University, Northampton Community College, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Pocono Raceway, Ray Price Auto Group, Sanofi Pasteur, The Association of Fundraising Professionals, The Blue Ribbon Foundation, and The Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce. 

Each year, Sanofi Pasteur provides all financial backing and creative services required to hold the event so that 100 percent of funds raised through sponsorships and attendance benefit selected non-profit organizations.

With the awarded funds, Family Promise of Monroe County will strengthen its Fresh Start shelter program, which provides for the basic needs of homeless Monroe County families with children, utilizing a hand up approach. Pocono Alliance will develop and implement its Bridges Out of Poverty initiative, which will address the root issues of generational poverty and promote self sufficiency for low-income families. Pocono Mountain Public Library will create a state-of-the-art Children’s Educational Technology Center equipped with computers and other technological tools to enhance local children’s learning opportunities.  And the Salvation Army will provide secure, affordable, and 24-hour housing to homeless single adults and families.

Throughout the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser’s nine-year history, it has touched the lives of literally thousands of people in Monroe Country through the work of 30 non-profit organization programs. Past recipient organizations include Burnley Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Equi-librium, Pocono Area Transitional Housing, Pocono Services for Families and Children, Women’s Resources of Monroe County, and many more.

Bob Phillips, president and CEO, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, and 2012 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser Volunteer Committee member, will serve as emcee for tonight’s gala, revealing the award amounts. Some 400-plus Monroe County supporters will enjoy a traditional New England-style lobster bake and dancing under a beautiful chandelier-lit tent at Skytop Lodge.

The Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser began in 2004 based on a concept proposed by Damian Braga, senior vice president, Global Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur.  

Since then, the company has extended a similar model for this event into Lackawanna County with the Lackawanna County Community Fundraiser, which has raised more than $225,000 for Scranton-based non-profit organizations since its inception in 2008.

The 2012 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser corporate sponsors include East Stroudsburg University, Foster Wheeler Biokinetics, Inc., Pocono Raceway, Sanofi Pasteur, and Tunnell Consulting, Inc. (Signature sponsors); Art Print, Capitol Counsel Partner, Pocono Medical Center, Publicis Groupe, Sodexo, Inc., and Weiler Corporation (Gold sponsors); A/Z Corporation, ABM, Advanced Cleanroom Microclean, Biltmore/Broadmoor, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, George Roberts Productions, Kane is Able, PPL, Stone Office, Inc., and Veolia Environmental Services (Silver sponsors); Capgemini Consulting, DLA Piper, Twenty-First Century Group, Inc., Waste Management of Pa., and Wise Solutions (Shining Star sponsors).        

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, 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

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