Betsy Cohen, Reprinted from the Missoulian

The sound of the cash register at the "Rite Stuff Thrift Store" in Missoula is music to the ears of many western Montana families. For with the sale of every funky chair, obscure book, china plate, weathered door, or used jacket, children with language disorders are being given the gift of gab.

Thanks to benefactor Dolly Stewart, the Western Montana (UM) Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic at the University of Montana now has a steady stream of revenue. Stewart handed over her entire inventory of some 80,000 pieces of used and new items she had for sale at "The General Store" at 6455 Highway 10 W., and gave it to the Scottish Rite to fund its free language clinic.

"It's an amazing way to make money," said Stewart, a member of the Eastern Star. "There's a lot of stuff there, brand-new cabinet doors, the clothes are fabulous, and there's some pretty quality merchandise, too." The unusual gift will boost the clinic's efforts in caring for its clients, who number over 40 each year, and in meeting its annual operating budget of about $60,000, said clinic manager Lucy Hart Paulson. "In this case, truly one person's junk is another's treasure. For us, it's a lot easier way to pay the bills than to keep asking people to buy a raffle ticket or participate in fundraising. It's definitely thinking out of the box and finding another strategy. Every piece, every dime from the store goes into helping kids."

The clinic, which has rent-free space at UM, is one of 160 Scottish Rite clinics, centers, or programs throughout the country that offer therapy to any child who needs the specialized attention of a licensed speech and language pathologist.

"This work is important, because when children don't have effective communication skills, they often develop social development and literacy difficulties," Paulson said. "That the Scottish Rite supports this cause is important because the treatment is expensive, families don't always get the support through their insurance agencies, and the therapy itself is time-consuming because families are required to participate."

Order of Eastern Star member Dolly Stewart (l.) and Lucy Hart Paulson help Carol Holloway (r.) with an item at the "Rite Stuff Thrift Store" near Missoula, Montana. Mrs. Stewart donated the store to the Western Montana Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic at the University of Montana (UM) where Mrs. Paulson is the staff speech and language pathologist.

Both Paulson and the Scottish Rite's service, said a Missoula parent, have provided a priceless experience for her family. "Sometimes you have to see it to believe it," said Lynda Butler. Her son, Wade, who has Down Syndrome, struggled with delayed speech until Paulson taught him and the rest of the Butler family sign language.

"He can now communicate with us and others what he wants," Butler said. "His speech will come, eventually, but until then, we can all communicate together without getting frustrated. For Wade, it gives him the confidence to be included in the community as much as possible; that's what makes a big difference to us-it creates an inclusive environment."

With the donation of the thrift store, members of the Scottish Rite are hoping that fundraising will be less of a challenge for their special cause. Shaking the money tree, for even ongoing critical community needs, gets to be tiresome work, said Bro. Robert J. "Bob" Thomas, 33°, Co-Personal Representative, Valley of Western Montana, Missoula, one of the volunteers who operate the thrift store. "There is a lot of work here, but it's great," he said while pulling a shift recently. "I'm usually one of if not my best customers."

Submitted by Bro. Robert E. Arras, 32°
Secretary, Valley of Western Montana, Missoula, Montana