MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, today announced that the Company, its supplier partners and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation have committed to donate more than $1 million in essential health care supplies and cash to local relief organizations and communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, which struck areas of the Northeastern United States on October 29.
"A deep commitment to giving back to society is part of the character of Henry Schein," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Schein, Inc. "Hurricane Sandy has had a profound impact on our local community here on Long Island and throughout areas of the Northeastern United States, with many of our Team Schein Members, neighbors and customers suffering great loss and devastation. We are standing by our community in the wake of this catastrophe, and are eager to do anything we can to support local organizations providing relief to those in need."
With many thousands of evacuees already in temporary area shelters and in need of essential health care and hygiene products for people and pets, donations are being made through Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program, in partnership with the Company's supplier partners.
In addition to the Company's donations of health care products, the Henry Schein Hurricane Relief Fund has been established through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and promotes dental, medical and animal health by helping to increase access to care globally. The Fund provides a way for Team Schein Members and others who are interested in supporting relief efforts to contribute, and Henry Schein is matching all donations contributed to this fund by Team Schein Members. All proceeds of the Fund will be applied directly and completely to relief efforts by local organizations. In addition, the Company is holding drives for clothing, food and other personal items at its headquarter offices located in Melville, N.Y.
Individuals or companies wishing to contribute to the Henry Schein Hurricane Relief Fund can make a financial or product donation. Credit card donations can be made through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation Web site, https://www.hscaresfoundation.org/ (click the "donate button" to be directed to an online credit card processing page, and select "Hurricane Relief Fund" for the gift designation.) Those who wish to contribute by check should make the check payable to "Henry Schein Cares Foundation" with "Hurricane Relief Fund" noted in the memo of the check, and send it to Dewi Wijaya at Henry Schein, Inc., 135 Duryea Road, Melville, NY 11747. Donations to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation are tax deductible in the United States.
In addition to its philanthropic efforts, Henry Schein reminded customers that its disaster relief hotline is open for dental, medical and animal health practitioners who have experienced operational, logistical or financial issues as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The toll-free number for all Henry Schein customers – 800-999-9729 – is operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. The Company also announced plans to broaden support for affected customers by offering a host of financial services and staging a series of expert-led symposia examining all aspects of practice recovery.
In the past, Henry Schein Cares has responded to other disasters including the Colorado Wildfires in the United States in 2012; the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, earthquake in New Zealand, and flood in Australia in 2011; the earthquakes in Haiti, China and Chile in 2010; the flood in Pakistan in 2010; the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in China in 2008; Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the U.S. Gulf Coast; the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan; the 2004 Asian tsunami; the conflict in Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine; and September 11.
