The Kirschner Trusts, an endowment administered by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, recently awarded $357,100 in grants to 66 charitable organizations, including a $10,000 grant to OSU Institute of Technology.
The grant will provide funding for equipment for the Orthotic & Prosthetic Technologies program, one of only seven programs of its kind in the United States.
“This grant will allow us to buy vertical alignment fixtures to aid in the fabrication of prosthetics,” said Jennifer Block, director of the O&P program at OSUIT. “These fixtures are critical to our students’ education. Correct alignment ensures that the client receives a prosthesis that is biomechanically correct, functional and matches the dimensions of a non-prosthetic limb, which impacts the quality of life.”
“The kindness of the Kirschner Trusts has allowed us to purchase additional tools to exceed industry standards and ensure our students success,” added Dr. Bill Path, president of OSUIT. “Their support has also inspired others to become champions and sponsors of our program. We truly cannot say thank you enough.”
Established by late Muskogee residents Phil and Roberta Kirschner, the Kirschner Trusts have supported charitable projects in the Muskogee area since 1979. In 2013, Roberta’s daughter Miriam Freedman transferred the trusts to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Since that time, the Kirschner Trusts have awarded more than $1.5 million to charitable organizations providing services in the following areas: social services, youth and education, health and disabilities and Jewish religion and culture.
“We are honored to administer these charitable trust funds that have supported so many communities in Oklahoma,” said Nancy B. Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. “The Kirschners were very generous people and it is evident that Miriam’s significant involvement with the grant-making decisions of the Kirschner Trusts continues to reflect their philanthropic desires. We are just thankful to be involved.”