MELVILLE, N.Y., /PRNewswire/ -- For the 16th year, Henry Schein, Inc., the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, is helping children head back to school with brand new clothes and essential school supplies donated by the Company's Team Schein Members, supplier partners and local businesses. Nearly 4,000 children in Henry Schein communities across North America will participate this year in "Back to School" events during August.
The largest of the events will take place today at the Company's worldwide headquarters in Melville, N.Y., where more than 600 children, identified by local social service organizations, will attend the "Back to School" event. Along with dinner, games, balloon animals, face painting and music, the children will receive new outfits personally selected and paid for by Team Schein Members, and backpacks filled with school supplies, books and hygiene products, generously donated by the Company, supplier partners, and local Long Island businesses, as well as a grant from FirstBook.org and donation from Simon & Schuster, Inc.
"Heading back to school should be an exciting time of year for all children," said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein. "Equipping students with terrific clothes for the first day back in the classroom, and essential school supplies, helps to boost their confidence and motivation to start the school year ready for success. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our Team Schein Members, supplier partners and local businesses, the Henry Schein 'Back to School' program continues to grow each year."
Henry Schein's "Back to School" program initially supported 150 children from Long Island. Since its inception, the program has sponsored nearly 22,000 children in North America. "Back to School" is a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program, and is supported by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that works to foster, support, and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world.
To help identify children to participate in the 2013 "Back to School" event at Henry Schein's headquarters, the Company partnered with Family and Children's Association, MPowering Kids, The McCoy Center, Family Service League, Department of Social Services, Hispanic Counseling Center, Madonna Heights, Bethany House, Habitat for Humanity, YES Community Counseling Center and The Raymar Children's Fund.
"Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children who eagerly rip open their boxes filled with new clothes for their first day of school, and brand new backpacks filled to the brim with needed supplies is priceless," said Karen Boorshtein, LCSW, President and CEO, Family Service League. "Working with Henry Schein on the 'Back to School' program is an opportunity for us to help lift the financial burden from children and their families who have so many economic challenges to juggle with limited resources. We're proud to be part of this program that helps give peace of mind to families as they prepare for this important time of year."
About Henry Schein Cares and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation
Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success.
Established in 2008, Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, works to foster, support, and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world.
The Henry Schein Cares Foundation carries out its mission through financial and health care product donations that support health care professionals and community-based programs focused on prevention, wellness, and treatment; disaster preparedness and relief; and capacity building of health institutions that provide training and care. To learn more about the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, please visit: www.hscaresfoundation.org. The "Helping Health Happen Blog" is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: https://helpinghealthhappen.org/.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.
A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs nearly 16,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 775,000 customers. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items.
The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 24 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $8.9 billion in 2012, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 17% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.
