August 24, 2004
Members of O&P Community,
Now available at http://www.opfund.org/announcements/ is a one-page summary of recent accomplishments by the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, O&P’s official philanthropy charged with representing O&P through community and philanthropic service programs. This summary documents OPAF’s achievements from October 2003 to the present, and it is available on the OPAF web site alongside the organization’s 2002 and
2003 annual accomplishment summaries.
2004 has so far been a tremendous year for OPAF. Please know that without your patronage this year, as ever, OPAF would not be reaching these unprecedented levels of achievement. Thank you!
Today, OPAF is a dynamic and unique member of the national nonprofit community; indeed, it is an O&P-affiliated charity unlike any other.
Connected simultaneously to O&P and to communities beyond-as evidenced through OPAF Public Service Announcements, public presentations, and related communications-OPAF is now reaching, and in so doing raising awareness of O&P among, an unprecedented number of individuals and organizations that have a direct relationship to and interest in O&P.
OPAF includes among its recent accomplishments:
* Administering and helping to publicize, through the OPAF Fit for Life program and in cooperation with the National Amputee Golf Association, NAGA, and O&P facilities nationwide, nearly a dozen First Swing clinics that assisted 100+ caregivers and individuals with disabilities in learning, or re-learning, the game of golf and, in so doing, gaining a greater sense of personal achievement;
* Providing, through the OPAF DC Community Initiative, weekly mentoring and leadership development to 100+ children and adolescents undergoing physical rehabilitation-approximately 90% of whom use orthoses and related assistive technology-at the non-profit Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC;
* Administering the OPAF Grant Program, a formal means of overseeing requests for funding received by OPAF, awarding modest financial assistance to two 501c3 nonprofit public charities that share OPAF’s
mission: The Sports Group and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports;
* Receiving support from the Morrison and Foerster Foundation to begin replication of the OPAF DC Community Initiative across the country in the form of a new program, OPAF Community Connections;
* Involving six creative and team-minded college students in OPAF’s internship program and therefore in a direct opportunity to learn about O&P, the nonprofit sector, and public service to individuals with physical disabilities. This fall, one of OPAF’s interns will continue her O&P experience as she continues her formal education by enrolling in an O&P program;
* Awarding the first student scholarship associated with the OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund; and
* Connecting, through nearly two dozen OPAF Public Service Announcements, PSAs, communities of individuals, organizations, and federal and state agencies that have a direct interest in promoting the past, present, and future of O&P.
Alongside many other accomplishments in development, OPAF received a second grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and first-ever grants from the Ramsay Merriam Fund, Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, and Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation.
In terms of publicity, OPAF continued to publish monthly “OPAF Matters”
in AOPA’s O&P Almanac, thanks to the generosity of AOPA, and to receive regular coverage in the O&P Business News and the O&P Edge, thanks to the generosity of Slack Incorporated and Western Media LLC, respectively. And representing O&P to one of the largest audiences ever, OPAF has teamed with the Washington Council of Agencies, WCA, the largest and oldest membership organization of 1,130 nonprofits in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This cooperation will give OPAF a “Spotlight” in the November-December 2004 issue of the WCA Nonprofit Agenda, which has a circulation of 16,000+ individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in the region.
Also this year, OPAF represented O&P at government-sponsored volunteer fairs held by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services; at student-oriented events sponsored by American University, George Washington University, Howard University, Gallaudet University, and George Mason University; and on a second international research team organized by the Polus Center for Social and Economic Development.
Administratively, OPAF’s accomplishments have involved substantial progress toward greater operational independence. So far this year OPAF
has:
* Received 25+ hours of pro-bono legal service from Morrison & Foerster LLP;
* Obtained, for the first time in OPAF’s history, the organization’s own directors and officers and general liability insurance through the Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance Risk Retention Group; and
* Continued to streamline internal bookkeeping, per 501c3 nonprofit best practices, and follow strategic plans commensurate with progress in programs, administration, and development.
Hands down, 2004 has been the best year in OPAF’s history. 2005-OPAF’s 10th anniversary year-holds even greater promise. OPAF’s growth depends on the generosity of everyone, both inside and beyond the O&P community, who shares a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Thank you again for your continued support, now and always.
Sincerely and with all best wishes,
Jeff Reznick
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Jeffrey S. Reznick, Ph.D.
Executive Director and Senior Research Fellow Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF)
1666 K Street NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Tel 202.223.8878
eFax 415.534.1857
Email jsr@opfund.org
Web www.opfund.org
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OPAF is a 501c3 public charity, the official philanthropy of the U.S.
orthotics and prosthetics community, established in 1995 by the Orthotic and Prosthetic National Office. Dedicated initially to providing financial and in-kind support to the 1996 Paralympics, OPAF now generates its own initiatives through partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions engaged in raising public awareness of disability and improving the quality of rehabilitation medicine, science and technology.
As a community-focused nonprofit organization, OPAF aims primarily to enable individuals with physical disabilities-especially those served by members of the orthotics and prosthetics community-to enjoy the rewards of personal achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction.
All contributions to OPAF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of U.S. law, and annual sponsorships of OPAF, its programs, and its fundraisers are available to every individual, institution, and company inside and beyond the O&P community. For more information about sponsorship opportunities contact OPAF at 1666 K Street NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20006, Tel. 202 223-2878, email opaf@opfund.org, or visit http://www.opfund.org/support/index.html
For complete information about current OPAF programs, please visit www.opfund.org.
