More Than 5,000 Children In North America And Europe Head Back To School Ready For Success As Part Of Henry Schein's 17th Annual 'Back To School' Program

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein's annual "Back to School" program held at 28 company locations will help more than 5,000 children return to the classroom prepared for success, setting a new record for participation in the 17^th year of the program. School essentials provided to the children range from new first day outfits to backpacks filled with classroom supplies, books and hygiene products.

"Back to School" is a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the global 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, animal health and medical practitioners.

In addition to events taking place across North America, this year the Henry Schein "Back to School" program will take place for the first time in Europe, with an event in Madrid, Spain. In many locations, children will receive first day school outfits, which have been personally selected and paid for by Team Schein Members.  Classroom supplies are donated by the Company. More than 27,000 children have benefitted from the Henry Schein "Back to School" program since its inception.

"Since helping the first 150 children in 1998, 'Back to School' has been a special event for Team Schein because we directly help to improve the lives of children in need in our local communities," said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein. "We are very pleased that this North American tradition has now crossed the ocean with an inaugural event in Spain, and we hope that future programs will expand across Europe and into other countries around the world where we operate." 

Of the U.S.-based events, the largest took place yesterday at Henry Schein's worldwide corporate headquarters in Melville, N.Y., where more than 600 children and their families received their school supplies and clothes. In addition to receiving their new outfits and backpacks at the event, children at the Melville event participated in many fun-filled activities, including dinner, games, balloon animals, face painting and music.

"Back to School" is supported by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that works to help increase access to health care in underserved communities around the world. Each year, Henry Schein partners with local social service organizations to help identify children and families who would benefit from participation in the "Back to School" program. For the event at Henry Schein's worldwide corporate headquarters, the Company partnered with 11 local social service organizations, including Bethany House, Madonna Heights, The McCoy Center, 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.

"Starting school with everything needed to succeed is such an important part of a child's social life and development," said Linda Buczynski, FPA, Co-Coordinator, Parent Partner, Family Support Services, Pederson-Krag Center. "Henry Schein's longstanding support of our organization through the 'Back to School' program helps promote the academic success of our families' children. We are proud to be a part of 'Back to School,' which continues to empower and bring respect and dignity to our families and children."

About Henry Schein Cares and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation
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 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, 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, 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 more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 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 27 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.  

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.