FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2004
Contact: Julie A. Besaha
(202) 223-2878
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF) is pleased to announce the 2004 recipients of awards made through the OPAF Grant Program.
Established in April 2002, the OPAF Grant Program enables the OPAF Board of Directors to evaluate completely the many requests for financial support it receives from nonprofit organizations that share OPAF’s commitment to an enhanced quality of life for individuals with disabilities, especially those served by members of the orthotics and prosthetics community. Applications are due each year no later than September 1, for funding before November 30, and no later than January 1, for funding before April 1.
Complete information about the OPAF Grant Program is available on the OPAF web site– www.opfund.org/programs/grant.html.
The grant competition was made possible in part through a contribution from Ohio Willow Wood (www.owwco.com). OPAF thanks Ohio Willow Wood for generously supporting this important initiative that helps to expand OPAF’s formal representation of O&P community and philanthropic circles.
After a challenging evaluation process that involved several organizations seeking OPAF’s support, the OPAF Board of Directors chose to provide modest financial assistance to two organizations: The Sports Group, Inc. and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
The Sports Group, Inc. (www.sportsgroupinc.com) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which hosts several disabled sporting events throughout the year for individuals with physical disabilities and children with special needs. The Sports Group was created in 2000 to provide quality sports programs to athletes from Oklahoma and beyond. The Sports Group’s first “endeavor” was the organization of the Endeavor Games, which was held for the first time in 2000. Since then, The Sports Group has added three more programs: the Hanger Oklahoma Amputee Golf Tournament; the Adaptive Baseball League of Edmond; and BlazeSports Clubs of America.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (www.vermontadaptive.org) is also
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to furthering the equality and independence of individuals with disabilities by providing access to sports and recreational activities. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports offers low-cost sports and recreation programs for people with physical disabilities and adapt teaching techniques and/or equipment to make the most of the strengths of the participants. Utilizing a small staff and hundreds of volunteers who know how to teach sports using adaptive methods, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports offers programs in downhill skiing, horseback riding, sailing, snowboarding, rock climbing, water skiing, canoeing, and kayaking.
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OPAF is a 501(c)(3) 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 [email protected], or visit http://www.opfund.org/support/index.html
For complete information about current OPAF programs, please visit www.opfund.org.
