FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 2001
CONTACT:Fred Peterson[email protected]
Leslee Williams[email protected] 312/440-2806
American Dental Association Health Foundation Receives
Largest-Ever, Lump-Sum Contribution
CHICAGO -- The American Dental Association Health Foundation (ADAHF), charitable arm of the American Dental Association (ADA), has received its largest lump-sum contribution ever from an individual in the form of a $1 million gift from Dr. Samuel Harris, a retired Detroit pediatric dentist.
Dr. Harris, who celebrated his 98th birthday last month, is a lifetime member of the ADA and longtime supporter of ADA's National Children's Dental Health Month and the foundation's efforts to help improve the oral health of children.
"Dr. Harris is a giant in pediatric dentistry at national and international levels, and is a moving force in our efforts to help reduce the incidence of oral disease among children who are most at risk," said Anthony R. Volpe, D.D.S., president of the ADAHF Board of Directors. "We are grateful for his contributions to the ADAHF that have enabled the Foundation to assist dental professionals who are advancing the national movement to provide more preventive dental education and care for underserved children."
During 1998-1999, the ADAHF raised $550,000, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by Dr. Harris, helping to establish the nationally recognized Samuel Harris Fund Children's Preventive Dentistry Grants Program. His latest gift nearly doubles this permanent endowment fund and the amount available for program grants made each year.
The Harris Fund Grants Program's primary objective is to improve children's oral health, particularly for those children whose economic status places them at greatest risk of not receiving adequate oral health education and access to preventive care. The program serves as a catalyst for increasing voluntary efforts by the dental health community during the ADA's National Children's Dental Health Month, held each February.
The program makes competitive grants of up to $5,000 in cash available to not-for-profit community preventive dentistry programs in the United States and its territories. Information on how to apply for the grants and what criteria must be met to be eligible for the Harris Fund Grants Program monies can be obtained through the ADA Health Foundation's website, www.adahf.org or calling 312/440-2547. Over the past two years, the program has provided cash grants of more than $164,000 to help fund children's programs.
The ADAHF is the leading national charitable organization, with the primary focus of enhancing clinical dentistry and the oral health of the American public. For more information about the ADAHF, visit its Web site at www.adahf.org.
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