The threat of rain was not enough to stop the 11th annual WalkRite for RiteCare on Sunday, June 23, 2019. Despite heavy rains in other parts of Omaha, it held off at Lake Zorinsky for the Walk, and a strong 75 RiteCare families and Scottish Rite Masons came out to walk and raise around $5,000 for the Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha.

The Nebraska Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) students turned out to do face painting and crafts with the RiteCare children, and the Culinary Masters grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. The RiteCare Clinicians brought ten raffle baskets, which raised additional money to support speech-language therapy.

Officers from each of the Scottish Rite bodies were present, representing the Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council of Kadosh, and Consistory, as well as the Knights of St. Andrew.

Raising funds to support RiteCare is important, but part of the goal of WalkRite for RiteCare is to create a family-friendly event that families can bring children of all developmental and intellectual disabilities. “It’s an opportunity to raise funds and celebrate the partnership between the MMI Speech-Language Pathology Department and the Scottish Rite Masons of Nebraska, while enjoying a day of fun, games, and food with all of our families,” said Amy Nordness, Ph.D., director of the RiteCare program. “It is a chance to relax, have fun together, and show how much we care about our families and about sustaining the future of the RiteCare Clinics of Nebraska.”

The fun walk is of no specific length, and while a few guests are brave to walk most of Lake Zorinsky, which is about 7 miles around, most families simply walk with their kids to the playground across the part.

WalkRite for RiteCare began in 2009, and has grossed around $75,000 since it began for the RiteCare Clinics. “We can’t thank the Scottish Rite Foundation enough for its generous support. They are truly making a difference for families in need of speech and language services,” Dr. Mirnics said. “We encourage others to join us at the walk. It’s an opportunity to meet the speech therapists at MMI and learn about the services they provide, while enjoying a fun walk and lunch.”