Pfizer Staffers Gave Time, Talent, Money for Benefit Auction in Pearl River

PEARL RIVER, NY — Pfizer colleagues gave more than money during a recent silent auction to benefit both the United Way of Rockland and People to People food pantry. They also shared their creative talents and time. The first such event held at the company’s North Middletown Road research facilities included arts and crafts work from colleagues, as well as donations of recreational time from executives.

“Talk about keeping the fun in fundraising – what a great idea! And as usual, the Pearl River employees were more than generous. We are so grateful for their support,” said Mimi Vilord, president and chief operating officer for United Way of Rockland.

Michael Pride was among the Pfizer colleagues donating artwork to the silent auction, offering 20 pieces of his digital works to bidders. Colleagues also offered craft works they created, and others assembled themed gift baskets for the auction. Experiences with executives were also in high demand with bids for golf and lunch for a day, an excursion on the Appalachian Trail, and a bass fishing outing.

“I was so impressed by the silent auction organized by Pfizer and attended by hundreds of their employees,” said Diane Serratore, executive director of People to People. “The atmosphere was festive, folks had a lot of fun and funds were raised to support People to People’s efforts to feed Rockland’s hungry. All of us at People to People appreciate the special relationship we have with Pfizer and applaud the company’s continued commitment to making our community a better place for everyone.”

The idea for the silent auction to benefit United Way and People to People came from the Pfizer Pearl River community engagement team, comprised of Karen Albert, Karen Breslow, Leo Letendre, Judy Lucas, Lugene Maher, Mikele Simkins and Pam Soni.

“More colleagues got involved by showcasing their talents in this silent auction,” said John Sorrentino, Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development’s Pearl River-based vice president and chief operating officer. “There was a lot of energy around this event.”

United Way of Rockland, based in Nyack, is a local, independent organization run by volunteers and staff who focus on addressing long-term solutions for health and human Services problems in Rockland County. Its activities range from raising money from businesses, their employees and broader entire community to evaluating what local programs should be funded. United Way brings together a local network of nonprofit, corporate and government partners to implement initiatives that go beyond what single organizations could accomplish alone.

People to People, based in Nanuet, is Rockland County’s largest hunger relief organization. Last year, the food bank distributed over $1.7 million worth of food. It served an average of 1,545 Rockland households per month during 2016, a 10 percent increase over 2015. People to People also provides weekly food packages to nearly 200 children in afterschool programs at the Nyack Center and the Haverstraw Center.

Pfizer’s North Middletown Road location is one of the company’s primary research sites and focuses on vaccines and oncology research. It is also a production site for antibody-drug conjugates. The company employs over 600 people in Pearl River.

Photo captions:

1. (Left to right) Maryann Small of United Way, Diane Serratore of People to People, John Sorrentino of Pfizer and Jackie Goldstein of United Way at the first silent auction hosted by the Pfizer Pearl River site.

2. Among the items at the silent auction in Pearl River were themed gift baskets creatively assembled for the auction by Pfizer colleagues

3. A silent auction at the Pfizer Pearl River raised money for United Way of Rockland and the People to People food pantry. Pictured (left to right) are Maryann Small and Jackie Goldstein of United Way, Karen Albert, Karen Breslow and Judy Lucas of Pfizer, Diane Serratore of People to People, and Leo Letendre and Pam Soni of Pfizer.