Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award given to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado
by Vernon B. Ingraham, 33˚, Executive Secretary, Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado.

The National Philanthropy Day organization in Colorado has awarded the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado with the prestigious Outstanding Philanthropic Organization award. This award is presented annually to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support, encouragement, and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.

Noted by the award documentation is the Foundation’s financial assistance for the treatment of more than 12,000 children since 1953. More than $14.0 million has been contributed for therapy services by the Foundation during this period with an additional $500,000 for equipment, materials, and supplies used in therapy. In addition, recognition is given to the Foundation’s $2.0 million contribution for establishing an endowed chair at The Children’s Hospital in 2002. Especially significant is the following, also noted in the award documentation:

“When the Foundation was first established, children with language disorders did not typically receive treatment until entry into public school at age five or six years. The Foundation recognized the importance of early intervention for language disorders and provided financial assistance for preschool children to receive therapy. In a very real sense, the Foundation was a national pioneer in the movement for early intervention for children with disabilities.”

The National Philanthropy Day in Colorado is a consortium of organizations including the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, Association of Fund Raising Professionals/Colorado Chapter, Colorado Association of Foundations, Colorado Association of Volunteers in Agencies, Metro Volunteers, and The Two Percent Club. One award for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization has been given each year since 1989. Prior recipients include Mile High United Way, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver, Grand Junction Lions Club, and the Colorado Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity Foundation.

Especially meaningful is the nomination for this award. It was made, without the knowledge of the Foundation, by Deborah Hayes, Ph.D. Dr. Hayes has worked with the Foundation since her joining the staff of The Children’s Hospital in 1983. All RiteCare clinics in Colorado were highly supportive of this nomination. Additional documented support was furnished by the Children’s Speech Therapy Center in Fort Collins (the award winning Colorado Clinical Program of the Year 2000) and the Piñon Project in Cortez (the preschool reading program in southwestern Colorado financially supported by the Foundation).

Illustrious Dwight A. Hamilton, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Colorado and the President of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado, will receive the award on behalf of the Foundation and all Scottish Rite Masons in Colorado at a special awards ceremony to be held in early November 2002. Congratulations to all Scottish Rite Masons for your generous and dedicated support to the Foundation and to Colorado families - “For a Child’s Sake.”