Team Schein Helps Make Holiday Wishes Come True For Children And Their Families

MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1000 children had their holiday wishes come true through Henry Schein's Holiday Cheer for Children program, an annual initiative dedicated to brightening the holidays for children and families in need.  Holiday Cheer for Children, now in its 14^th year, is a flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, the corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners.  The program 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. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121211/NY27182)

Team Schein Members contribute their own time and money to sponsor individual children through the Holiday Cheer program to ensure that each child's holiday wishes come true. Clothing, toys, games, and other gifts are presented to participating children and their families at special holiday celebrations held at multiple Henry Schein locations.  Food baskets are also given to families in need through the program. 

"A deep commitment to giving back to our communities is at the core of the character of Henry Schein, and this is a value that is shared by Team Schein Members throughout the Company," said Gerry Benjamin, Henry Schein's Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.  "Every year, we all look forward to the Holiday Cheer program as a wonderful opportunity to help make the holiday season special for children and their families.  This year, with so many of our neighbors continuing to experience tremendous challenges in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the program takes on even more significance."

Each year, Henry Schein partners with local social service organizations to help identify children and families who would benefit from participation in the Holiday Cheer for Children program.  Henry Schein's largest annual Holiday Cheer event takes place at the Company's worldwide headquarters in Melville, N.Y., where Team Schein Members sponsored 583 area children this year.  The celebration on December 6 included a special dinner, chocolate fountain, cotton candy machine, Santa and Mrs. Claus, music and other games and festivities.

"I simply cannot express how much this program means to our families, many of whom were displaced during Hurricane Sandy and have had a very difficult winter," said Lynne Campbell, Volunteer Coordinator, Department of Volunteer Services of the Department of Social Services, Nassau County.  "Truly, Henry Schein is the shining star on the tree for many of these families.  All you need to do is see the look on the children's faces as they open the gifts that they wished for, and you know just how much Henry Schein's Holiday Cheer program has brightened the season for them."

To view a video from the Holiday Cheer event held at Henry Schein's world headquarters, click here: www.henryschein.com/HolidayCheer

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: http://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, medical and animal health 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 more than 15,000 Team Schein Members and serves approximately 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 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 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 25 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $8.5 billion in 2011, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 18 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.