The Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star presented OMRF with a donation of $16,188 at its annual statewide banquet Sunday at the Scottish Rite Center in Guthrie, Okla. The gift brings the Eastern Star’s overall donations to OMRF to more than $161,000 since the foundation became the group’s statewide charitable beneficiary in 2002.
“OMRF is honored to be the recipient of the generous outpouring of charity and kindness from the Order of Eastern Star of Oklahoma,” said OMRF senior director of development Ginny Carl. “The men and women of Eastern Star exemplify the best our community has to offer in their benevolent service to others. We truly appreciate their gifts and long-time support.”
The Order of the Eastern Star has 137 chapters in Oklahoma, including groups in:
Bartlesville
Broken Arrow
El Reno
Enid
Lawton
McAlester
Woodward
In the past, Eastern Star donations have funded research at OMRF on neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. OMRF is exploring the genetic roots of the disease and is looking at novel interventional strategies like vaccination. An experimental Alzheimer’s drug based on OMRF research has completed the first phase of human clinical trials, offering hope against a disease that affects an estimated 5 million Americans.
Eastern Star donations have also supported OMRF’s research on multiple sclerosis and cancer.
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. It counts approximately one million members worldwide, including 20,000 Oklahomans, and is dedicated to furthering charity, education, science and fraternity.
