Mom and brother Camdan with TimThe members of the local Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge have taken on as one of their charitable projects the operation of a speech and language diagnostic and treatment center. Probably because our daughter-in-law Tiffany is enrolled as a graduate student in a Speech Therapy program she recognized in our grandson Tim a need for some remedial therapy. Tim is a bright, personable young boy and has taken to the extra "tutoring" very positively.
If you're interested in knowing more about the program, the Sacramento Scottish Rite Language Center has a decent web site here. This quote is a nice summary:
The Sacramento Scottish Rite Language Center provides diagnostic and treatment services for children with delays in speech, language and literacy. The Center is one of more than 165 Scottish Rite Language Centers throughout the United States. Services are provided free of charge. Masonic affiliation is not required. Additionally, the Center serves as a training site, providing internships and practicums for university students studying the field of Speech Language Pathology.With all that they do, we were surprised to find out that the lodge also hosts a Christmas Party for all the family members of kids in the Center's program. Edward described it to be like the Kiwanis parties that we used to take the kids to with all these old men doing their best to entertain all the kids.
Clowns entertaining the familiesThey had goodie bags, crafts, clowns, face painting, Santa Claus, a decent $15 age appropriate gift, and a stuffed animal for each kid. For the adults there was a drawing for door prizes and enough prizes so that 50% of the adults ended up with something ranging from a tin of cookies to a basketful of wine. In addition everyone was treated to a decent spaghetti dinner. Truly a nice gesture over and above all that the Speech and Language Center does every day.
Each boy gets his time with Santa
Wow! sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteso is the Center and all of its activities (e.g. the Christmas party) all funded by the Masons (kind like the Church funds all the geneoligical research sites and information, welfare farms, institutes, etc.)?
ReplyDeleteYes, this speech center and dozens of others throughout the country are funded by the Scottish Rite Masons. The other branches of the Masons also deal with childhood infirmities. Tim's program is free to the family although donations are always accepted.
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