Henry Schein Helps Children Go Back to School for Eleventh Consecutive Year
Annual program has lifted spirits and raised confidence of more than 9,000 children returning to the classroom
MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2008--With the start of a new school year, Henry Schein's annual Back to School program is helping less fortunate children in communities across North America step into the classroom well dressed and properly supplied for their first day of learning.
This year Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets, furnished more than 1,500 children with complete new outfits for their first day of school, including sneakers, socks, undergarments, shirts, and pants or skirt. The children also received backpacks filled with school supplies, hygiene products, and reading books of their choice to make their first day of school exciting, enjoyable, and stress free. Now in its eleventh year, the Back to School initiative is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program. Also as part of the Back To School initiative, the Company donated another 700 backpacks to local community children.
"It is very rewarding for Team Schein Members to help improve the lives of children and give back to our local communities through our annual Back to School program," said Gerald A. Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein.
Henry Schein also hosts events at each participating location where Team Schein Members have the pleasure of meeting the recipient children and their families and presenting them with their new outfits and backpacks full of supplies. "In addition to being great fun, the Back to School program strengthens our unique Team Schein spirit and enriches the lives of everyone involved," added Mr. Benjamin.
Henry Schein hosted the first Back to School Program in 1998, distributing clothing and school supplies to 75 children identified by local social service organizations. Since that time, more than 9,000 children have participated in the program.
"Children who start the school year on an even level with their peers--properly clothed and outfitted with books, classroom supplies and other learning tools--enjoy a higher level of academic achievement and social development," said Susan Edwards, Vice President for Development for Family Service League. "Henry Schein's Back-to-School program enhances the self-image of less fortunate children and increases the confidence they need to start a new school year. As a recognized 'Champion of Children,' Henry Schein provides these children with advantages that can help them succeed."
In addition to donations by Team Schein Members and contributions from the Company, Henry Schein has inspired numerous other local businesses and Henry Schein supplier partners to participate and provide valuable support the 2008 Back to School program.
About Henry Schein
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company and a member of the NASDAQ 100(R) Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 550,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive 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.
Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA(R), the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Its leading practice-management software solutions have a user base of more than 52,000 practices, including DENTRIX(R), Easy Dental(R), Oasis(R) and EXACT(R) for dental practices, MicroMD(R) for physician practices, and AVImark(R) for animal health clinics.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs over 12,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 20 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $5.9 billion in 2007. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.
CONTACT: Henry Schein, Inc.
Susan Vassallo, 631-843-5562
Vice President, Corporate Communications
susan.vassallo@henryschein.com
SOURCE: Henry Schein, Inc.