Walking is more fun when you’re with a friend — especially someone you’ve been partners with for more than 40 years.
Come walk with us!
The WalkRite for RiteCare will be held:
- When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23rd (on-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m.)
- Where: Zorinsky Lake, 156th and F streets, Omaha, at the picnic pavilion
There is no cost to walk, but there are incentives awarded for reaching fundraising goals, including WalkRite T-shirts, water bottles and RiteCare bags.
That’s part of what makes WalkRite for RiteCare, the Scottish Rite Masons annual fundraising event, such a good time. The Masons and their supporters walk alongside the staff and supporters of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, particularly MMI’s Speech-Language Pathology Department.
For more than 40 years, the Scottish Rite Masons have funded UNMC’s RiteCare program at MMI, making it possible to assist thousands of children in overcoming speech and language disabilities without regard to a family’s ability to pay. And when it’s time to show support in return, MMI comes out in force.
“Each year, the MMI Speech-Language Pathology Department and the Scottish Rite Masons of Nebraska host the WalkRite for RiteCare to celebrate this partnership, continue to raise funds, and enjoy a day of fun, games, and food with all of our families,” said Amy Nordness, Ph.D., director of the department. “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 Scottish Rite of Nebraska has always been a valuable partner to the speech-language pathology department at MMI, Dr. Nordness said.
“The Scottish Rite has allowed us to provide speech and language therapy to children across four clinics in Nebraska for more than 40 years at no cost to our families,” she said. “The department, and the rest of our colleagues at MMI, are always excited to support the WalkRite event, and we hope our friends and supporters will be able to join us.”
“We are particularly pleased to see so many walkers and teams come to WalkRite for RiteCare from the Munroe-Meyer Institute,” said Micah Evans, spokesperson for the Scottish Rite. “The support from so many staff and faculty from MMI each year really drives home the partnership the Scottish Rite Foundation has with MMI. Our members see how important speech therapy is within MMI, and they enjoy getting to meet the MMI staff at the event and learning how all the different disciplines work together to support the children MMI serves.”
“Thanks to the Scottish Rite Foundation, the RiteCare Speech and Language Clinics at MMI can provide speech pathology services for children at no cost to the families,” said Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., director of MMI. “Join us at this event to learn more about our services, meet our professionals and enjoy a fun walk, lunch, and a chance to learn more about what our speech therapists do at MMI.”
In 2018, the event raised $8,500 for the RiteCare Speech and Language Clinic at MMI. Since its inception, the event has raised approximately $60,000 for the clinic, enabling approximately 350 children to receive services, which provided near 600 hours of speech therapy for needy children.
The event will feature characters from the “Star Wars” movies, as well as refreshments including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and desserts for walkers. Raffle items have been donated by the RiteCare clinicians and RiteCare families.
Walkers can register on-site or in advance here. To learn more, go to the RiteCare website.