MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2016,/PRNewswire/ — Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) has launched it’s annual “Back to School” program to provide underserved children throughout the world with the backpacks, school supplies, and new clothes they need to return to the classroom confident and ready to meet the challenges of the new school year. This year, more than 5,000 children will participate in the program throughout the world. Since the program’s inception in 1998, more than 38,000 children have headed back to school equipped for success The Info Blog.
Henry Schein’s “Back to School” events occur at 31 Henry Schein locations in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Scotland, and Australia. Participating children are provided with school essentials, including backpacks filled with classroom supplies, books, and hygiene products donated by Henry Schein. At many “Back to School” events, children also receive new first-day-of-school outfits, personally selected and paid for by Team Schein Members. The “Back to School” program is a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate social responsibility program.
““Every year, Team Schein Members look forward to our ‘Back to School’ program so they can help underserved children return to the classroom confident and equipped for the school year ahead,” said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Henry Schein. “For nearly two decades, we have watched the program expand from a single event at our headquarters to 31 Company locations throughout the world, and we could not be more pleased with the response from our Team Schein Members.”
More than 650 children and their families, pre-selected by local social service agencies, received school supplies and new clothes at a “Back to School” event held last Thursday at the Company’s worldwide headquarters in Melville, N.Y. The event also featured dinner, ice cream, games, crafts, dress-up stations, and bounce houses.
To help identify participating children and families in the Henry Schein “Back to School” program, Henry Schein partners annually with local social service organizations. For the event at the Company’s headquarters, Henry Schein partnered with Northwest Health and 11 social service organizations, including Bethany House; Madonna Heights; Espoir Youth Program, Inc.; the Nassau County Department of Social Services; Family Service League; YES Community Counseling Center; MPowering Kids; Family and Children’s Association; Hispanic Counseling Center; Pederson-Krag Center, Inc.; and The Raymar Children’s Fund.
“There are no words to describe the look on the children’s faces when they open their boxes and backpacks to see the clothing, sneakers, and school supplies they’ve received as part of the ‘Back to School’ program,” said Lynne Campbell, Volunteer Coordinator for the Nassau County Department of Social Services. “We want to thank Henry Schein and its team members for their generosity and for ensuring that these children have the resources and self-esteem to succeed in the classroom.”
About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares 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, at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares to 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. “Helping Health Happen Blog” is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally.