The Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star presented the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with two checks totaling $16,758.77 at its annual conference at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in Guthrie.
The donation will fund OMRF research on cancer, lupus, heart disease and multiple sclerosis. With this donation, the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star has now donated a total of $260,239 to OMRF research since 2002, when it selected OMRF as its charitable beneficiary. Forty-seven additional chapters have also made individual gifts to the foundation.
“Several years ago, we decided we wanted to have one charity organization that we continually supported—something that would stay in Oklahoma,” said former Eastern Star Worthy Grand Matron Kathy Stegall of Burns Flat. “We have been impressed by the innovations and breakthroughs in medical science that come out of OMRF. Helping make that research possible, in some small way, has been exciting for us. And we just look forward to more progress in the fight against disease.”
Eastern Star members support OMRF through individual donations made at chapter meetings statewide.
“For more than a decade, the members of the Eastern Star have shown OMRF amazing generosity with their contributions,” said OMRF Director of Development Ginny Bass Carl. “They know that their gifts will stay in Oklahoma and make a lasting impact by funding research that will ensure a healthier future for the state and the world.”
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 and is dedicated to furthering charity, education, science and fraternity. It has approximately 10,000 members and more than 100 chapters in Oklahoma, including groups in:
- Bartlesville
- Blanchard
- Broken Arrow
- Clinton
- El Reno
- Enid
- Guthrie
- Hennessey
- Lawton
- McAlester
- Muskogee
- Woodward
