The Friends of Scottish Rite Dinner and Auction continues to grow, serving as one of the Valley of Omaha’s major fundraisers of the year. This year, the Friends Dinner was held on Friday, October 29th, welcoming 140 guests. Dinner guests enjoyed a hosted wine tasting and fine Scotch tasting, bid on extraordinary silent and live auction items, including a weekend at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, a Savannah experience for two, an interactive Beatles concert experience, fine bourbons, jewelry, sports packages, and other items donated by area businesses and members.
The evening was a benefit for the Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha’s principal philanthropy, the RiteCare Speech and Language Clinic at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.
Our emcee for the evening was Carol Schrader, anchor from KETV-7. Carol recognized Laurie Ackermann, Executive Director for the Ollie Webb Center, to recognize Ollie Webb for more than 50 years of programs, advocacy, and support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her remarks, Laurie recognized Scottish Rite Masons for supporting speech therapy services for Nebraska children through the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, many of whom also receive services through the Ollie Webb Center.
Guests heard from Amanda Fink, a Munroe-Meyer mom whose daughter had received services, including speech therapy, through the Munroe-Meyer Institute. Her daughter Josie saw specialists for pediatric feeding and swallowing services, which can lead to speaking disorders. Amanda spoke movingly about Josie progressing from non-verbal to an ability to say words and to be understood. Thanks to therapy at the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s RiteCare Clinic, Josie continues to make strides in her ability to communicate and learn.
The Scottish Rite is indebted to the Nebraska Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who volunteered for the evening, setting up, serving hors d’oeuvres and dinner, and cleaning up afterward. NSSLHA students have been involved for many years as volunteers, and continue to be recognized on the website, program, and invitation for their contributions.
Our event chairs were Jamie Watson and Sara Walker, who contributed numerous hours to selecting the menu, approaching donors for auction items, and decorating the dining room. The Scottish Rite is indebted to Jamie and Sara for their work for the Friends Dinner.
The evening raised more than $60,000 for speech therapy, including approximately $8,000 for a special appeal directly for RiteCare speech therapy and 3 $2,000 scholarships for undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The donors will be recognized by having the scholarships given in their name for the 2022-2023 year. Additionally, an anonymous donors matched up to $2,000 in the special appeal donations for the RiteCare Clinic!
Next year’s dinner will be on Friday, October 28, 2022 at the Scottish Rite. Plan to join us for another great Dinner and Auction!