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More than 120 children started the new school year with confidence thanks to a Niagara-on-the-Lake company’s back-to-school program.
Henry Schein Inc., a medical and dental supplies distributor, in collaboration with the non-profit agency Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, provided 125 children in need with clothing and personalized boxes of back-to-school supplies.
The company held a barbecue at which the children received the goodies and enjoyed a variety of activities. There also was a free dental screening service available for the children.
“You only have to be there to experience the joy on faces of the children and having the ability to have fun and then receive a very nice gift box at the end,” Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care, told The Lake Report.
“It’s very special and it helps 125 families to ensure the kids start school on the right foot,” she said.
Henry Schein has been running its back-to-school program in Canada for 14 years. The program, originally established in Melville, N.Y., in 1998, helps children to get ready for school by providing them with clothing and school supplies.
Throughout the year, Henry Schein’s employees also raise money to provide each child with $100 worth of clothing and supplies.
Henry Schein identifies recipients by partnering with local non-profit organizations. In this case, Community Care provided a list of clients in need.
Catharine Wickabrod of Henry Schein said the company partnered with Old Navy and Nike. On top of two or three outfits of clothing and a pair of new running shoes, each child received a backpack full of school supplies, healthy snacks and a dental hygiene package.