Current Interest

What a Year!
	What a year! Our first annual milestone has passed, and what used to be a dream has now become a reality. The Richmond, Virginia, Childhood Language Center has been open since October 28, 1991, and what pleasant surprises and memories have come with it!
	Little did we know when we first established the center that there would be such a great demand for its services. From the first day, the need to furnish more services has steadily increased. We are operating at capacity and have had to add a part-time speech-language pathologist to our original staff.
	This answers the question in so many minds as to whether or not the center would be needed and its expenses justified. The demand is there, and we need even more help to see that the many requests do not go unanswered and that a child is not allowed to suffer from a disability that could be helped. A year ago we started with no clients. Now we have seen over 220 preschool children, and our outreach program alone has screened 114 children. Presently, we have 24 children waiting to be treated.
	As we look back on the year, it is hard to overlook the angels who have made significant contributions to the Center: Earl Wicker, 33, in paying for the building, Charles Fleming, 32, for furnishing a room, the enthusiastic aid of The Supreme Council, 33, in supporting the project, and Johnson C. Moss, Jr., 32, K\C\C\H\, for contributing so generously in honor of his father, an outstanding Mason from the Richmond metropolitan area. In addition, the significant contribution from the estate of Abner A. Hawkes, 32, K\C\C\H\, was certainly appreciated and added much-needed funds to operate the center. These are only a few who have given so much to make this center a success.
	Then there is our very fine staff. Page Taylor Hardage, our Administrator,  adds a smile and bright outlook to everyone's life. Our two speech-language pathologists, Patsy Little and Marcia Anderson, are outstanding professionals who display great patience, intelligence, and ability. Our administrative assistant, Mary T. Bonner, keeps everything running with efficiency and a smile.
	Without question, once you visit our center and see the work that is being done for the children and their families, you will feel that the world is a better place in which to live because of this endeavor. None of this would have been possible without the help and assistance of the Richmond Valley of the Scottish Rite. Our trustees assumed the first year's operations by giving the center a $150,000 gift.
	Additionally, our Brethren have been outstanding in their support. They opened their hearts and their pocketbooks to see the dream come to fruition. The directors of the Richmond Childhood Language Center extend to each and everyone who has contributed their sincere thanks and gratitude. You have been magnificent!
	One of the highlights since our opening was the night that Ill\ Ernest Borgnine, 33, G\C\, visited our Valley and the center along with, Sov\ Gr\ Cmdr\ C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, Ill\ H. Douglas Lemons, 33, S\G\I\G\ in California, and his lovely wife, Maxine. This was truly a great evening, and we are extremely grateful for their support. They gave us a boost for which we will always be grateful.
	Yet the most satisfying and gratifying feeling in the world is watching the children. If you need a lift, come to our center. Watch the little ones come in and see how they learn while enjoying their sessions. They are right at home. After their sessions, they are full of spirit and hope. They are renewed and you will be too!
	It has been an electrifying and glorious year, and we look forward to increasing our capacity in order to help more children in the near future. Our mission is just beginning!

Stoll and Hollis Estates Benefit Clinics
	October 26, 1992, marked a fresh step forward for America's children in the Southern Jurisdiction. Using funds generated by interest from the estates of Illustrious Brothers Harold F. Stoll ($40,000) and William M. Hollis ($23,000), Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, directed four state Scottish Rite Foundations to receive $63,000 from the Scottish Rite Foundation, S\J\, U.S.A., as start-up funds for four new local Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Centers.
	They are: S. R. Foundation of California for Fresno, CA ($20,000); S. R. Foundation of New Mexico for Las Cruces, NM ($20,000); S. R. Foundation of Utah, Inc., for Salt Lake City, UT ($20,000); and S. R. Foundation of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC ($3,000), the balance of $20,000 in start-up funds already given for the relocation of the Charlotte facility to the Scottish Rite Temple in Charlotte.     r
	Because of the generous bequests and gifts of our Brethren, such as Illustrious Stoll and Hollis above, and the use by Scottish Rite members, their family and friends of the OFFICIAL Scottish Rite credit card (see page 64), our nation's children with learning and language disabilities have a brighter future. Thank you for your support. Remember, your help is critical to the local and national success of this great Scottish Rite philanthropy!

CANor Roll Program
	Here's a unique, ecologically positive fundraiser for our Scottish Rite Language Disorder Clinics! It worked for us, and it can work for you! The idea started in the Fargo-Moorhead community. Members from the Valley of Fargo, North Dakota,  as well as other interested individuals and groups in the area, save, pick up, and otherwise solicit aluminum cans from all possible sources. The cans are collected and sold to a local reclamation center. Quantities are substantial, as it takes several pickup loads every month to transport the cans to the recycling center. An added plus is the get-together for the Brothers who take the cans to the recycling center.
	The program has local visibility. It's not just the members doing the collecting. Cans are saved by many others, all friends of the clinic. Among them are the library of a local college and a nearby museum. Also, substantial quantities are received from El Zagal Shrine Temple, located next door. Probably the most rewarding recent "collection point" was from a mother of one of the Language Disorder Clinic's patients. She had attended a family reunion and had everyone there save and collect cans for us. Although her child had already been treated and discharged from the clinic, she thought of a wonderful way to say "Thanks" for how the clinic had helped her child. This concept has spread, and now cans are regularly received from the parents of a number of current patients as well.
	The "CANor Roll" is just that, an honor roll listing the Valley's publication of all those who have contributed cans to this program. It's a nice, visible, and tangible reward for those who have participated, whether little or lots, and it helps to spread the word to those Brethren who might not as yet be aware of the program. That listing is effective in gaining support is proved by the fact that now many donations are dropped off anonymously at the Temple.
	To date, somewhat over $500 has been turned over to the clinic. Translated into pounds, this represents over a TON of aluminum cans recycled. Although this is not a lot of money on a day-to-day basis, it does represent an additional funding source, and its more than we had before to help the children we support. And, by cleaning up the environment, it certainly qualifies as an excellent, highly visible idea in the local area in support of our Scottish Rite Language Disorder Clinics.
	Every little bit helps, and here's an idea for a great way to make a little more!

Masons to the Rescue
	Shortly after the vicious onslaught of Hurricane Andrew, Masons sprang into action. Responding to Sov\ Gr\ Cmdr\ C. Fred Kleinknecht's appeal in The Scottish Rite Journal, Masons throughout Florida and the nation went to work. The first order of business was to mobilize the Florida Valleys into "Disaster Teams." The idea was to inspire both personal and organizational participation as quickly as possible. Bewildered and homeless victims, their lives ripped apart by this terrible event, needed help-immediately.
	Simultaneously, the Valleys "passed the word." All members, executive committees, and governing bodies were asked to search their hearts and their financial resources and then come to the rescue. The next step was for each General Secretary to send one Valley check to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida. It was to represent the total of organizational and individual donations for the "Hurricane Andrew Fund." This was accomplished by our target date, along with a list of the names of every donor so that each could receive a personal letter of thanks from Ill\ Robert L. Goldsmith, 33, S\G\I\G\ in Florida.
	The generous outpouring was heartwarming and impressive! Grants of relief money were soon being made as claims were verified. This was normally a rapid process. Our Scottish Rite aid mission expanded beyond the Miami area to Florida City, Homestead, and St. Petersburg where a tornado spawned by Hurricane Andrew destroyed several trailer parks, most of them retirement abodes.
	In Florida, we have the slogan "Total Involvement- 
Everyone!" Now it has become a way of life. Sincere thanks go to all who contributed, in or outside the Orient of Florida, through money donations or by hard work. You, our Sovereign Grand Commander, and The Supreme Council, 33o-all of you truly came to the rescue!

A Day of Honor and Recommitment
	Saturday, June 20, 1992, will live in the records of Scottish Rite Masonry for a long time to come. On this day, the University of Montevallo honored the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama, Inc., for its founding, funding, and operation of the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders at the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama.
	The project got underway under the aegis of Illustrious James M. Tingle, 33, Chairperson of the University of Montevallo Board of Trustees; Illustrious James R. Rogers, 33, then Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Alabama, and Dr. Loretta G. Brown, Director, Professor, and Chairperson, Communication Science and Disorders.
	The executive officers and staff of the Speech and Hearing Clinic chose a day of honor and recommitment as a means of celebrating the opening of the newly constructed dormitory and recent redecorations of adjoining facilities. They also honored the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama, Inc. for its never-swerving support. 
	Guests for the festivities began arriving at 1:00 p.m. on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and Dr. Loretta G. Brown, Retiring Director of the Clinic, began the proceedings by extending a warm welcome to everyone. Registration took place in the main living room, where appetizing cookies, punch, and snacks of all kinds filled colorful tables. Good fellowship was the order of the day.
	Illustrious James M. Tingle, 33, President of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama, Inc., offered the opening prayer. Then Dr. Brown introduced members of the faculty, the architect for the new facility, its contractor, members of the Board of Advisors and other persons who have played a part in creating or sustaining the clinic. She also acknowledged the valuable aid the Scottish Rite Woman's Associations from all over the state have given. Dr. Brown pointed out that the many plaques recognizing specific contributions would impress visitors.
	Mrs. Joanne Radford of Selma, Alabama, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous help her son, Heitz, has received. Heitz's progress, she said, "was something of a miracle."
	Dr. John W. Stewart, Retiring President of the University of Montevallo, stated the ceremony was actually a time to thank the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama, Inc., for its considerable contributions to the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders. He also said the Scottish Rite Foundation, Inc., has provided $60,800 for various aspects of the clinic's work this spring. That in itself is exceptional, Dr. Stewart continued, but when you consider the total given since 1978, the consistency of this caring commitment is truly impressive. That total is now $588,433. To this, one must add countless contributions by affiliated Valleys and Masonic women's associations.
	Dr. Stewart than quoted from the Book of Common Prayer which invokes God's blessings on our endeavors to the end "that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living." Dr. Stewart added, "I can confidently acclaim today, that the members of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama have brought forth the fruit of good living, and shall continue to bear that fruit in the days ahead."
	Ill\ James R. Rogers commented that this was a red-letter day in his life, in the annals of Scottish Rite Masonry, and the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama, Inc. Ill\ Rogers also stated that children in need of therapy and training as provided by the Clinic would always find the facility awaiting them.



