Henry Schein Cares Australia Newsletter Download PDF (1Mb)
Henry Schein Cares Australia Update
Hello and welcome to our first edition of Henry Schein Cares Australia. We have been very busy over the last few years and now via this newsletter we will be able to share with you some of the projects we have been working on. We hope that with your help we will truly be able to make a difference.
The Henry Schein Cares program originated in the United States through our parent company, Henry Schein Inc. It now runs globally and through this program we have donated millions of dollars in products, services and money. Henry Schein Halas believes that we should fulfill our social responsibility as a corporate citizen and give back to the industries and communities in which we serve. We therefore aim to assist in narrowing the gap between care that is provided and care that is needed, not only in Australia but where we can with our neighbors as well.
Giving Back - How you have helped
For the last two years Henry Schein Halas has chosen a charity theme for our stand at ADX. In 2007 it was Pink Ribbon Day and this year it was Daffodil Day. A percentage of sales taken at ADX were donated to the Cancer Council. Both years have resulted in a donation of over $20,000.
It has been an ongoing tradition that Henry Schein Halas does not send Christmas cards. Instead we choose to make a donation on your behalf. In December 2006 money was well spent with a $6000 donation to Operation Cleft – a not-for-profit organisation who provide cleft palate surgery for disadvantaged children in third world countries. In December 2007 the $6000 went to the Royal Flying Doctor Service - a not-for-profit charitable service providing aeromedical emergency and primary health care services in Australia. Such a small Christmas card saving can go a long way!
Most recently delegates at the 2008 International Quintessence Symposium were able to help too. A percentage of sales from the three day event were donated to the Burma Relief Fund. The donation of over $3000 will help the Burmese to rebuild their lives.
Henry Schein Cares and we thank you for your contribution.
OzHarvest and Henry Schein Halas turn waste into a resource by Julie Claridge
Over $5.3 billion worth of food is wasted in Australia each year and generally is dumped as landfill. OzHarvest is a charity that rescues excess perishable food and redistributes it to those in need through its network of charities. To date, this fast growing organization has distributed over 2.2 million meals! This means that over 575,000 kilograms of food has been saved from landfill. Most importantly however, it delivers food to the hungry.
OzHarvest commenced operations in November 2004 with one refrigerated van. Four thousand meals were collected and distributed in the first month. Last month, OzHarvest distributed over 80,000 meals. OzHarvest collects from over 175 regular food donors in Sydney and delivers to 140 charities.
As OzHarvest’s reputation grows they receive calls from various organisations offering all sorts of food stuffs and other bits and pieces which they no longer need. Along with the perishable foods that are distributed on the same day OzHarvest has received calls to collect canned and packaged foods for distribution to those who are at risk or vulnerable.
This is where OzHarvest’s volunteer program has come to the rescue. In July last year, 14 volunteers from Henry Schein Halas put together 50 care packages which were delivered to a charity in Maroubra that supports disadvantaged youth and their families. These packages were particularly welcomed as the service had to close temporarily due to lack of funds. Each package contained food for a family of four for a day.
Henry Schein Halas volunteers were also involved at Kaleidoscope, an art exhibition held as part of Homeless Persons’ Week, for which OzHarvest provides the food and volunteers help to organise and serve. It doesn’t stop there. OzHarvest is currently distributing over 320 boxes of hand wash to the charities it supports. This hand wash which was destined for the tip was donated by Henry Schein Halas. Through the generosity of volunteers from Henry Schein Halas and the Henry Schein Cares program OzHarvest is able to touch the lives of thousands.
OzHarvest: 1/215 Euston Road, Alexandria NSW 2017 phone: 02 95163877 website: www.ozharvest.org
Feeding for Education in South Africa by Ish Larney
Educompass is an organisation set up to feed school kids in South Africa. By providing them with what may be their only meal for the day, they are also providing a good incentive to go to school, therefore getting a good education so that they can support themselves in later life. Educompass believes is giving people a ‘hand up’ rather then a ‘handout’.
Recently Educompass has provided milk, soup, jam and bread to more than 4000 needy school children. The three year old, school feeding program was well funded and efficiently carried out by volunteers. It has now matured to a level where Peninsula School Feeding Association will take over responsibility for the nutritional needs of 34,500 learners in the Southern region of Cape Town with a R12.8 million (almost AUD$2 million) government tender. Educompass will continue to closely monitor the area and will offer a safety net to any student that may fall through the cracks, by way of the scholarship, shoebox of learning and container programs.
Henry Schein Halas has been supporting Educompass since its commencement three years ago. We are currently looking for donations of new toys and children’s books to be shipped to South Africa for Christmas.
If you would like to donate please contact Jessica Chasen on (02) 9697 6239 or jessica.chasen@henryschein.com.au
Caretakers Cottage By Adam Bub
Caretakers Cottage is a not-for-profit organisation that has helped over 6000 young homeless people rebuild their lives for over 30 years. Founded by Laurie Matthews, Caretakers helps youth who are struggling with family breakdowns, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental illness. Caretakers operates three accommodation services in Sydney: Caretakers Cottage, a short-term accommodation crisis refuge for homeless children aged 12-17; Options Youth Housing, a medium-term accommodation service for youth aged 15-24 in Mascot; and Entity, an out-of-home-care accommodation service in Hurstville for children cared for by the New South Wales Minister for Community Services. Caseworkers and youth workers help the children return to school, work or TAFE, with the ultimate aim of reuniting them with their families.
Henry Schein Halas has adopted Caretakers as a special project, sending them spare product when it is available. We have also recently put them in touch with the National Dental Foundation who have been providing free dental treatment to their children who desperately need it.
Free Dental Treatment Puts a Smile on Many Faces!
The need for free dental treatment in Australia is an ongoing issue. Waiting lists are ever increasing and it is obvious that public resources are being pushed to the limit. With the bad press and pressure to reduce prices dentists have taken it upon themselves to do something about it. A voluntary program was set up in 2005 called the National Dental Foundation. This foundation recruits local dentists to provide free dental treatment to many of our underprivileged young Australians. Dentists open up their private practice on a specified day and are sent patients from certain charity organizations.
In many cases patients are homeless, unemployed and recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. This voluntary program focuses on giving today’s youth an opportunity to repair and save their teeth at an early age and provide disadvantaged individuals the help to get back into the system, community and workforce. In particular the dentists are giving patients back their self-esteem and adding quality and hope to their future.
Henry Schein Halas has been sending out care packages to participating dentists to replenish the consumable stock they use on the day.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact
daviddigges@optusnet.com.au
www.nationaldentalfoundation.org.au
CHBC Links inc… offering a helping hand
CHBC LINKS Inc. serves disadvantaged and needy people within our local community by providing gifts of packaged food, meals & drinks, clothes, Christmas hampers, sleeping bags, blankets, free dental health services and more. They began by collecting non perishable food and grocery items as part of the Church services each Sunday. In 2002 they started providing free meals on a Thursday night in Croydon, Victoria. In 2005 they commenced operation of a dental van which provides free dental service to those who need it.
Henry Schein Halas staff have gotten involved not only donating product for use in the dental van but have provided their personal time helping to serve meals, donated toys and raised money to help the flourishing charity.
Want to help? Find out how!
All suggestions are welcome so if you would like to see us support a charity please email: jessica.chasen@henryschein.com.au
Henry Schein Halas Helping Health Happen!