Henry Schein brings holiday cheer for kids on LI and globally

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Holiday cheer came a little early this year for more than 100 children and their families at the Melville headquarters of Henry Schein. The company also held festivities for more than 1,500 people at Henry Schein locations elsewhere in the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the company’s “Holiday Cheer for Children” program. Since 1999, the initiative has helped more than 20,000 underserved children and their families enjoy the holidays,

In Melville, the recent celebration included dinner, games, music and presents, many of which were donated by Henry Schein employees. In addition, 300 children received gift cards purchased through support from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation to help alleviate some of the financial burden many individuals face during the holidays.

“We are pleased to celebrate 25 years of fostering holiday joy for families all over the world,”  Stanley Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein, said in a written statement.

“‘Holiday Cheer for Children’ is not just an initiative, it is a reflection of Team Schein’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which we live and work. Thank you to all of Team Schein, who throughout the years, has helped keep the spirit of the program alive. We look forward to many more years of holiday cheer to come,” he added.

In support of the communities surrounding the company’s corporate headquarters, Henry Schein partnered with 10 Long Island-based social service organizations to pre-identify participating children and their families. These organizations include Bethany House; Espoir Youth Program, Inc.; Family and Children’s Association; Family Service League; Hispanic Counseling Center; Madonna Heights; Nassau County Department of Social Services; The Raymar Children’s Fund; WellLife Network; and YES Community Counseling Center.

“The ‘Holiday Cheer for Children’ program embodies the true spirit of the holidays – giving, generosity, and kindness,” Mark Wenzel, assistant director at YES, said on #scheinchats, Henry Schein’s social media series. “From the exuberant child whose eyes light up when they receive a gift, to the grateful parent whose anxiety is relieved because they are able to purchase food for a holiday meal, this program has helped make the past 25 years unforgettable for many.”

“Seeing the smiles on the faces of our students and witnessing the joy and excitement in the air were priceless moments that will be cherished by both the students and our entire school staff,” Sinéad Toomey, principal of Thomond Primary School in Limerick, Ireland, said in a written statement. “The holiday season can be particularly challenging for individuals and families facing financial hardships, and Team Schein’s efforts have truly made a difference. It lifted the spirits of individuals most in need and fostered a sense of community.”

The holiday program is an initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility program, and is supported by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that advocates and supports efforts to advance health equity and empower health care professionals to promote a healthy future.