school donation optOstler Orthodontics, located in Richland, Wash, has donated more than $120,000 to local schools since 2010 through its Partners in Education program. Scott Ostler, DDS, MSD, told the local NBC affiliate KNDO/KNDU that he started the program as a way to give back to both patients and the community.

The practice donates $100 to every new patient’s school or a school of their choice. The donations are made to the schools PTA, which then decides how the money is allocated.

With $20,000 raised so far for this academic year, Ostler hopes other businesses will consider doing the same. Again, talking to KNDO/KNDU, Ostler said, “Businesses and corporations need to step up and start helping out these schools. Hopefully this is going to be a start of maybe other businesses being aware that these schools need some help.”