All Photos: ©2000 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

M.W. Clarence E. "Buster" Horne, 33°, Grand Master of Masons, Grand Lodge of Georgia, and Ill. Earl D. Harris, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Georgia, strongly exemplify the Masons' commitment to the young patients of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

Scottish Rite Masons live by their strong love of God, country and family. For 87 years, the Masons' charitable work with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite has reflected that belief.

Thanks in great part to the 14,000 Scottish Rite Masons in Georgia and their national members, Children's at Scottish Rite is able to continue its tradition of caring for sick and injured children, regardless of their ability to pay.

In 1915, Scottish Rite Masons of Georgia were asked to raise funds to create a children's hospital, originally housed in two rented cottages in Decatur, Georgia. The Scottish Rite Convalescent Hospital for Crippled Children accommodated up to 20 patients, giving indigent, crippled children a place to recover after surgery at local hospitals. It was the first crippled children's hospital in the country.

"During the early years, the Scottish Rite Masons were depended upon to cover the cost of the staff salaries and medical supplies. Often, they paid the expenses out of their own pockets," adds Mark Wilkison, senior development officer of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation.

Over the years, the hospital grew, moved to north Atlanta and added specialties including cardiology, neurology, dermatology, and pediatrics. The Masons' commitment to the patients and families the hospital served also expanded to meet the growing needs of the community. From bucket brigades to fish fries to pancake breakfasts, the Masons' fundraisers continue to contribute to the hospital to this day.

M.W. Clarence E. "Buster" Horne, 33°, Grand Master of Masons, Grand Lodge of Georgia, poses with Ill. James E. Tally, 33°, CEO of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, before a special plaque dedicated in a Masonic ceremony at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite in April 2002.

"We feel like helping children is so important because they're the future of our country and it's the best thing we can do," adds M.W. Clarence E. "Buster" Horne, 33°, Grand Master of Masons in Georgia. "Helping children is just a soft spot in the hearts of Masons."

To the Masons, Children's is a special place that touches many lives, including their own. "I leave the hospital with tears in my eyes, along with sadness and joy in my heart," Ill. Horne remarks. "Sadness because there are so many children who need help, but joy because I know they're being helped at Children's at Scottish Rite and the Masons in Georgia are involved in that."

In April, Children's at Scottish Rite held a special ceremony to honor the Scottish Rite Masons and almost nine decades of their dedication. A special plaque unveiled at the ceremony commemorates their hard work.