From left: Dr. Austin Lifferth; Dr. Allison Pernic, Sue Hanson, Dr. Kevin Hickman, Dr. David Ryser, Janie Whitehead, Dr. Chris Knight, Dr. Jon Mark. Photo provided.

WARSAW — The Grossnickle Foundation recently awarded its initial grants to support United Way of Kosciusko County and Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

The organizations received $4,110 and $2,518 respectively, said a news release from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

Darren Bickel of United Way (back left) accepted the $4,110 grant from the Grossnickle Foundation. Grossnickle Eye Center staff pictured left to right; Nikki Wiseman, April Fleagle and Mesta Baker. Photo provided.

The Grossnickle Foundation is a Donor Advised Fund at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

The Grossnickle Foundation was established with funds from Doctors Paul, Steve, and Bruce Grossnickle. The doctors believed in giving back to not only the communities that have supported them but also to engage their employees.

Grossnickle Eye Center employees recommend how the grants from the Grossnickle Foundation are awarded. All employees are encouraged to submit requests for funding of a local non-profit organization or a nonprofit supporting an ophthalmology related area.

Doctor Bruce and the late doctors Paul and Steve valued the importance of childhood literacy and have supported literacy programs each year through the Grossnickle Foundation. The Grossnickle Foundation and Grossnickle Eye Center employees strive to preserve the Grossnickle Doctors’ interests.

The $4,110 grant recently awarded to United Way of Kosciusko County will be used to support the Imagination Library program, which provides all enrolled children with a new, age-appropriate book each month from birth until their fifth birthday at no cost to the children or their family.

AFTD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people affected by Frontotemporal Degeneration and drive research to a cure. The organization works to advance research, awareness, support, and education about this disease. Doctor Steve suffered from FTD, and when he passed away last August, the Grossnickle employees collectively donated $2,518 to AFTD in memory of Doctor Steve.

The recent $2,518 grant from the Grossnickle Foundation was a match to the employee donation and was also given in Doctor Steve’s memory. The grant will specifically support the research toward diagnosis, treatment, and a cure for FTD, said the news release.