Inspired by the service rendered to his granddaughter by our Order, a Brother helps spearhead the development of a RiteCare Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ill. Herbert S. Goldberg, 33°, and Jill Karelitz, his granddaughter

On October 3, 2001, Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, dedicated an impressive obelisk on the grounds of the Scottish Rite Center in Charleston, South Carolina, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Scottish Rite in Charleston in 1801. The obelisk is a permanent marker to the memory of the "Eleven Gentlemen of Charleston," the founders of the Scottish Rite, whose names are listed on the four sides of the monument.

Now these same grounds are being considered for another installation. The Valley of Charleston is hard at work on plans to build a RiteCare Childhood Language Center. It will join two other "Palmetto State" clinics, in Columbia and Greenville, already in operation.

Working in a series of regularly scheduled meetings, the Trustees and Directors of the Scottish Rite Foundation of South Carolina and the Charleston Scottish Rite Center Historical and Educational Foundation have set the agenda, dates, and goals needed to erect this facility. Ill. Charles H. Frampton, 33°, was the overall Chairman of the Joint Scottish Rite Foundation Committee. Unfortunately, Ill. Frampton passed away recently, and a new Chairman will be appointed in the near future. Related committees are working to get zoning approved, brochures printed, grants written, and funds raised. I volunteered for the position and was appointed Fund-raising Chairman because I have a personal interest in this clinic.

My granddaughter, Jill Karelitz, was one of the first recipients of the services provided at the Columbia, South Carolina, clinic by Martha McDade, Director. Jill could not hear since infancy; thus, she was unable to speak. She was placed in the clinic when she was about three years old and gradually was able to form words. By the time she entered the first grade at school, she was talking as well as could be expected. Jill wears a hearing aid and is now 16 years old. She is in the Spanish Honor Society and on the girl's varsity soccer team. The Scottish Rite can be proud, as I am, of the benefits delivered by all our RiteCare Childhood Language Clinics, Centers, and Programs in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Charleston is looking forward to helping the children in our area at no charge to their families.