Georgia Freemasonry's "Crown Jewel" is the Masonic Home of Georgia, for
kids only, which is located at 1417 Nottingham Drive off Gray Highway in
Macon. They have the distinction of having helped children from all
over Georgia since June 14th of 1905. The home is also known as "The
Heart of Georgia Masonry".
Since that time, the home has served over 2,100 children, and Georgia Masons
have been the supportive financing behind it. Four hundred twenty-five
Georgia Masonic lodges yield some 47,000 Master Masons who work together
to keep the home going, including the Masons at Rose Hill Lodge 484 here
in Columbus.
The home can house up to as many as sixty boys and girls at one time, and
presently about six or seven of the children are assigned per each supervising
adult.
A lot of people think the home is an orphanage, but it is not. Only
two true orphans have lived at the Masonic Home during its existence. It
is one of only six homes of its kind in the United States.
Love, security, personal growth, and achievement are the guiding principles
of the Masonic Home. Their primary goal is to prepare children and
families for reunification whenever possible. In other cases, their
aim is to prepare children for independent living by providing a structured
living environment where the children can learn responsiblity for their
actions, and become resourceful so they can function in today's society.
The Masonic Home of Georgia is comprised of four halls and two cottages,
where the children reside in a family-type atmosphere under the care of
dedicated "houseparents".
The Education Department of the home is responsible for meeting the educational
needs of each child. Meeting these needs includes choosing the appropriate
academic environment, providing extra tutorial assistance, allowing students
to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities, and monitoring
their academic needs on a daily basis. The kids attend public schools
in Macon, but as they get older, they're placed in private schools, with
an emphasis on education. Those who want to go to college or trade
school are funded through the home to do just that. It's like having
good parents.
Numerous activities are planned throughout the year for the children, with
many of the lodges sponsoring picnics, day trips, or trips to Florida.
The home has a camp in Shellman's Bluff, where the children go every summer
for about 3 weeks.
GA Masonic
Home Contact Information
Telephone:
478-743-5154
Fax: 478-738-3972
Address:
1417 Nottingham Drive
Macon, GA
31211
http://www.masonichomeofgeorgia.com/
