Left: The author's father and the patch of the New York City Fire Dept.

The Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc. pledged $1,000,000 for scholarships and retraining for the families of victims of the 9/11 disaster. We have awarded $215,150 in scholarships to 31 students. The scholarships are administered through the Families of Freedom Fund of Scholarship America.

Ms. Margaret M. O’Donnell, whose father is a disabled first responder in the FDNY, recently wrote to the Supreme Council to express her gratitude for our financial assistance to her pursuit of a Masters degree in special education. It is admirable that she used our support to earn a degree that will let her help children with special needs.