Sanofi Pasteur “Adopts” Families Who Have Little to Call Their Own
- Record-breaking holiday gift drive responds to increased homelessness rates -
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa., December 18, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced today that its employees continued the company’s 21-year tradition of collecting and hand-delivering gifts, non-perishable food items, and supermarket gift cards to the families of Monroe County Head Start at Pocono Services for Families and Children (PSFC). The items were donated through the company’s “Adopt-A-Family” drive, which will benefit a record 42 families this year, many who are homeless.
Sanofi Pasteur’s steadfast commitment to this drive has consistently brightened the holidays of low-income families in Monroe County throughout the last two decades. This year, the company’s generous donations were perhaps even more critical, as community trends of increased homelessness deeply impacted Monroe County’s own Head Start families.
In the Monroe County Head Start classrooms alone currently there are 33 homeless families -- 15% of total enrollment, compared to almost half that amount just last year -- 17 families in 2014. All 33 families are being helped through the drive.
PSFC defines homelessness as “not having a place of your own.” Many families in this category, for instance, all live in one room of a home owned by a friend or family member, and they often move frequently from location to location.
“In the last year, PSFC has seen the rate of homelessness grow tremendously,” said Jackie Lapping, family & health services manager, PSFC. “Given this year’s especially difficult economy and increased cost of living and food, we and our Monroe County Head Start families could not be more grateful for the generosity of organizations like Sanofi Pasteur.”
“This feels like a miracle!” said one of the homeless parents of Monroe County Head Start children. “I may not have my own place to decorate, or my own table to put a meal on this December, but my children will still feel the magic of the season thanks to Sanofi Pasteur’s heartfelt employees.”
The commitment Sanofi Pasteur employees have shown toward the “Adopt-a-Family” drive marks only one of the many ways the company has given back to Head Start this year. Last month, employees delivered 219 pairs of winter boots, plus clothes and food, to Monroe County Head Start families as part of the company’s Thanksgiving holiday drive.
Sanofi Pasteur also provided support toward the purchase of furniture and supplies for two new Pre-K classrooms in East Stroudsburg. In addition, the company worked with PSFC to create a scholarship for graduates of the Monroe County Head Start program who are entering or are currently enrolled in college.
About Head Start
Head Start is a child development program that has served low-income children and their families since 1965. The Head Start program is administered by the Head Start Bureau; the Administration on Children, Youth and Families; Administration for Children and Families; and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Those interested in providing a donation to help local families and children in need can contact Jackie Lapping at 570-421-2711 x230.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has 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 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: Sanofi
Ellyn Schindler
Director, North America Corporate Social Responsibility and Engagement; CSR Communications
Tel: 1-570-957-2689
