Dental industry news: Team Schein helps make holiday wishes come true

MELVILLE, New York--More than 1,000 children had 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 14th year, is a flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, the corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein. 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.

Team Schein members contribute their time and money to sponsor individual children through the Holiday Cheer program to help ensure that a 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 Dec. 6, 2012, 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, go to www.henryschein.com/HolidayCheer.

For more information, visit www.henryschein.com.

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