Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser Marks 23 Years
On September 9, 2026, the 23rd annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser brought together more than 200 community leaders, business partners, and neighbors at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Under the theme, "Hope Starts Here," the event raised funds for four nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs across the region. The fundraiser has become a cornerstone of community support in the Poconos.
A Tradition Rooted in the Poconos
When Sanofi founded the fundraiser in 2004, the Swiftwater site had already become a cornerstone of vaccine manufacturing in the region for decades. The fundraiser has since grown into one of the most anticipated community events of the summer. What began as a Sanofi-sponsored initiative has evolved into a collaborative effort featuring a team of presenting sponsors, all united in supporting the organizations that assist our neighbors in need.
That continuity matters. Year after year, the fundraiser draws together people who believe that a thriving community is built through consistent, collective investment, not one-time gestures. For Sanofi, whose employees live and work in the Pocono Mountains region, this event is an extension of something we see every day: neighbors looking out for neighbors.
Through my work on Sanofi's Philanthropy Committee, I get to see the hard work and the kindness of so many who give selflessly to the community day in and day out.
Joe Gilliland
Head of HSE, Manufacturing and Supply US at Sanofi
Why This Work Matters
Phillip St. James, Director US Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Relations at Sanofi, understands firsthand why community support transforms lives. As a child raised by a single mother in Harlem who relied on government assistance programs, St. James knows the difference these organizations make. That experience shaped his commitment to Sanofi's mission of expanding healthcare access and strengthening the systems that sustain community well-being.
Phillip St. James reflects on how community support transformed his family's future during remarks at the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser.
"Organizations like the ones we are supporting tonight provide more than food, shelter and basic necessities, St. James told the room. “They provide hope, dignity, and opportunity. Somewhere out there is another young person whose future may not seem very bright today. But because of the generosity in this room and the services provided by organizations like these, that child's story can change."
That belief drives how Sanofi's US CSR team approaches community work more broadly: not as a checkbox, but as a long-term commitment to the places where our employees live, raise families, and build careers. Supporting organizations like this year's recipients is one part of a larger effort to strengthen the systems that help people thrive, wherever we have a presence.
This Year's Recipients: Investing in Community Strength
The 2026 fundraiser awarded funding to four nonprofit organizations, each addressing critical needs across Monroe County:
Developmental Education Services of Monroe County Inc. helps individuals reach their full potential through specialized educational and developmental support services.
Monroe County Public Library offers free access to information, technology, and educational programs for residents of all ages.
Pennsylvania Elks Major Projects, Inc. delivers vital support programs throughout the commonwealth, strengthening families facing challenges.
Pocono Area Transitional Housing, Inc. provides critical housing stability and support services, offering a pathway to sustainable independence.
I am proud to represent Sanofi and feel fortunate to work in a community that cares so much about people, as exemplified by the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser.
Rakesh Kakkar
Head of Manufacturing & Supply, U.S. M&S Vaccines, Sanofi
What Comes Next
The 23rd annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser is a reminder that real change takes sustained commitment. For the four organizations receiving funding this year, the work of serving Monroe County continues long after the event ends. Sanofi and its partners are proud to support them in that work. Because of events like this fundraiser, organizations like these can continue to support their communities and build toward a brighter future for all.
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Corporate Social Responsibility at Sanofi in the U.S.
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