OPAF REPRESENTS O&P AND HELPS FEDERAL WORKERS ANSWER PRESIDENT'S CALL TO SERVICE

OPAF REPRESENTS O&P AND HELPS FEDERAL WORKERS ANSWER PRESIDENT'S CALL TO SERVICE

Julie Besaha

5/6/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2004
Contact: Julie A. Besaha
(202) 223-2878

(Read this press release online at
www.opfund.org/announcements/index.html#23.)

OPAF REPRESENTS O&P AND HELPS FEDERAL WORKERS ANSWER PRESIDENT'S CALL TO
SERVICE

OPAF recently participated in a Volunteer Fair hosted by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organizers of the event invited local
and national nonprofit organizations to present USDA employees with
volunteer opportunities as part of USDA's campaign to inform and
encourage every employee to participate in the President's call to
service.

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President Bush called upon every
American to become involved in strengthening America's communities.
Every American, he said, should make a lifetime commitment of at least
two years (4000 hours) of service to others.

Approximately 200 USDA employees attended the Volunteer Fair, the
majority of whom visited the OPAF table to learn more about the official
philanthropy of the U.S. O&P community and its mission to enable
individuals with physical disabilities - especially those served by
members of the O&P community - to enjoy the rewards of personal
achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction. Of all the
organizations in attendance, OPAF was the only organization from the O&P
community and the only organization providing direct-service programs to
individuals with physical disabilities. The occasion provided OPAF with
a tremendous opportunity to reach and inform new audiences about the
fields of O&P and public service in the name the O&P community.

Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman presented OPAF with a
Certificate of Appreciation (a copy of which is available online at
www.opfund.org/announcements/index.html#23) and thanked OPAF and the
other organizations for their service to the community and for creating
opportunities for others to serve.

OPAF welcomes invitations to participate in events like the USDA fair.
Through the OPAF Speaker Program
( <URL Redacted>, the organization also
welcomes formal speaking engagements. Please contact Julie A. Besaha,
OPAF Director of Operations, for more information about OPAF, the OPAF
Speaker Program, and serving the community by becoming an OPAF
volunteer, at 202-223-2878 or <Email Address Redacted>

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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 Address Redacted> , or
visit <URL Redacted>

For complete information about current OPAF programs, please visit
www.opfund.org.