Schein workers donate kids' back-to-school outfits
Henry Schein employees work to get their donations of clothing, school supplies and toiletries out to needy Long Island students. Alexa Cantania and Kristie Fierro pack boxes, and in the back stacking boxes are, from left, Jackie Bloom, Alexis Nally and Teddy Philson, the manager of Team Schein Community Services. (Aug. 30, 2010) Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan
At about this time every year -- for the past 13 years -- employees at Henry Schein Inc., the giant distributor of dental and medical equipment, gather outside the company's headquarters in Melville, surrounded by children and huge boxes.
They are not celebrating the end of summer, but the beginning of the school year. While some might not consider that an occasion for a party, at Henry Schein the event is something to get festive about.
As part of the annual "Back to School" event, employees use their own money to purchase clothes for needy kids. This year, 575 Long Island schoolchildren -- identified with the help of Nassau and Suffolk social services agencies -- are to receive new outfits for the upcoming school year. The company also supplies backpacks filled with school supplies.
Jane Ford, of Manorville, a Schein sales rep, has been involved with the program since it began. "It's giving," she said. "You don't think about it."
Sharon Collyer, of Huntington, a manager in inventory management, got involved seven years ago.
"My family has always been generous and always wanted to give back," Collyer said. Both employees say they each spend more than $100 a year on the clothing.
The company will hold a barbecue Thursday to distribute the boxes of clothing and supplies to the kids.
"It's a beautiful experience," Ford said. "It feels like Christmas in the summertime."
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