Barbara J. Kiernan, Ph.D.
Director, Scottish Rite–University of Arizona
Child Language Center
33 Ochoa, Tucson, Arizona 85702–0391

Brethren in Tucson have developed innovative fundraisers to assist their clinic.

Photo: Kathy Berry, "Wings on Words" preschool teacher, helps Kyle Shultz increase his ability to ask and answer questions.
In 1995, Bro. Ralph Raske, 32°, K.C.C.H., initiated the participation of the Tucson, Arizona, Scottish Rite–University of Arizona Child Language Center in an annual fundraiser offered by Fry's Food and Drug Stores. The goal was to collect register receipts from Fry's and exchange them for rebates to benefit the Scottish Rite Center. At first, the program was called "Apples for the Children," and register receipts were exchanged for Apple computers and other educational materials. Throughout the next three years, Bro. Ralph worked tirelessly to tally the increasing number of receipts saved by Scottish Rite Masons, their friends, and families.

During the first, second, and third years, receipts respectively tallied $70,000, $120,000, and $170,000! Bro. Ralph's enthusiasm and dedication to the program not only brought in valuable educational supplies, but also inspired Masons throughout the state to join in the effort. Sadly, Ralph passed away in June 1998, but not before handing the program over to the caring and capable hands of Bro. Herbert J. Feifer, 32°, and his wife, Carol.

Under their direction, the 1998–99 collection of register receipts continued to increase, and Herb and Carol set a collection goal of $200,000. This would be an important decision because Fry's now began to exchange receipts for cash, renaming its program "Dollars for Scholars." For every $50,000 in register receipts collected, a check for $500 was donated to the Scottish Rite–University of Arizona Child Language Center. The program ran from September through April, and a total of $213,000 in receipts was collected. This translated into $2,000 of important financial support for the center's educational programs.

  Standing in front of a successfully completed "Dollars for Scholars" progress chart, are (l. to r.) Bro. Marvin H. Hoffman, 32°, K.C.C.H., President, Tucson Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation; Barbara J. Kiernan, Ph.D., Director, Child Language Center; and Carol Feifer and Bro. Herbert "Herb" J. Feifer, 32°, Coordinators of the "Dollars for Scholars" program. 

A second creative fundraiser in Tucson, the "Wings on Words" Benefit, featured exciting new sponsors for the children's programs at the Child Language Center. Held in the historic downtown Scottish Rite Temple on Sunday afternoon, March 14, 1999, the benefit featured a silent auction and gourmet desserts with an international flair. As guests came into the festively decorated grand lobby, they were welcomed by the music of the Tucson Junior Strings, two string quartets that featured very talented high school musicians. Then in the "Red Room," with its high-vaulted ceilings and tall pillars offering an elegant setting, guests strolled through unexpected treasures and enjoyed culinary delights from 15 different nations, all served in an Italian garden café atmosphere. Delicacies were generously donated by groups with cultural ties to England, Ireland, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon. In addition, hundreds of different home-baked cookies donated by the Eastern Star and a palm-covered booth from Hawaii made sure that America was represented. Each group sent flags and typical decorations for their tables and volunteers to serve the desserts. What a wonderful way for the groups to show their support for children, and for people in Tucson to discover heritage groups in our community.

The auction tables themselves were laden with wonderful offerings from individuals and businesses, everything from weekend stays in the mountains to basketballs signed by NBA stars. In fact, well-known Masons such as Former President Gerald Ford and Dave Thomas of Wendy's International sent personal memorabilia for the occasion. Even Shirley Maclaine sent a recipe for her wonderful lamb stew. Guests kept passing along the tables and raising their bids on items they particularly wanted. In the end, everyone went home full and, usually, with several very special items they had "won" at the auction.

In reality, the true winners were the children at the Child Language Center. All proceeds provided financial support for our newly inaugurated "Wings on Words" Preschool. This preschool is the culmination of 10 years of program development and clinical research at the Child Language Center, all based on the best practices in the field of speech and language sciences and early childhood education. The school strives to create an inclusive learning environment that helps children build a strong foundation for learning and provides active support for their growing language, social interaction, self-esteem, and school readiness skills.

A hearty thanks to all Scottish Rite Masons and friends in the community for making the 1999 "Dollars for Scholars" and "Wings on Words" Benefit special gifts for the children of the Scottish Rite–University of Arizona Child Language Center in Tucson!

  Barbara Kiernan
is the Director of the Scottish Rite–University of Arizona Child Language Center and an Assistant Research Scientist and Lecturer in the Department to Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona. She received the Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and held a Post Doctoral Fellowship there from 1993–94. Dr. Kiernan has extensive experience in both the United States and Venezuela with children learning first and second languages. Her area of research and teaching focuses on language learning and development of children with impaired language skills. Since 1997, she has been extensively involved in developing the "Wings on Words" Preschool and Kindergarten as well as other community outreach programs.