/PRNewswire/ - More than 1,000 children will see their holiday wishes come true this year through Henry Schein's Holiday Cheer for Children program, an annual initiative dedicated to helping make the holidays brighter for children and families in need.   Holiday Cheer for Children is a flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, the corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC)

For the past 13 years, Team Schein Members have volunteered for the Holiday Cheer program by sponsoring individual children and contributing their own time and money 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. 

"Each year, Team Schein Members look forward to helping make the holidays a special and memorable time for children and their families," said Gerry Benjamin, Henry Schein's Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.  "The enthusiastic involvement of Team Schein Members and wonderful success of this program underscore Henry Schein's commitment to corporate social responsibility, a value that is shared by all of us throughout the Company."

Henry Schein's largest annual Holiday Cheer event took place at the Company's worldwide headquarters in Melville, N.Y., where Team Schein Members sponsored more than 570 area children this year.  The celebration included a special dinner, chocolate fountain, cotton candy machine, Santa and Mrs. Claus, music and other games and festivities.  To view video of this event visit http://youtu.be/MVmMEkjPFC8.

Each year, Henry Schein partners with local social service organizations to help identify children and families for participation in the Holiday Cheer for Children program.  

About Henry Schein Cares

Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, enhances access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. 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.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index.  The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices.  Henry Schein's five businesses – Dental, Medical, Animal Health, International, and Technology – serve more than 700,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices, and animal health practices, 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 provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical, and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 14,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 25 countries.  The Company's net sales reached a record $7.5 billion in 2010.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.