WORLD kids Hom e ’ s Grown
Making a Difference for Children
George Kahler and Bernard (Bernie) Wise are grateful the Masonic Children’s Home gave them the opportunity to grow and succeed at a young age.
George never really knew his parents. His mother passed away from bone cancer when he was 2 years old, and his father died of a heart attack three years later. After losing their father, George’s older siblings took care of George, the youngest of five children, and his brother Ray. Less than a year later, George and Ray moved into the children’s home, so they could stay together and receive the care they needed.
In addition to allowing him to live out his childhood, George said the children’s home gave him many opportunities. He remembers trips to the shore, baseball games and amusement parks. His house parents took all the boys camping in the summer and to an indoor pool in the winter.
“We had responsibilities like cleaning our rooms and a daily detail, but we also learned to take care of ourselves: making pizza, shopping for clothing, earning our allowance and doing our laundry,” he said.
After graduating from Elizabethtown Area High School, George attended Lock Haven University to study health and physical education. After college, he joined the U.S. Army as a combat medic. He returned to school for his
elementary education certification, teaching at the Mifflinburg Middle School for more than 29 years.
Today, George is paying it forward for other children like himself as president and treasurer of the Masonic Homes Patton School Alumni Association. The association holds meetings, dinners, picnics and other activities to provide opportunities for members, families and friends to gather and maintain friendships and camaraderie with former residents of the children’s home and with former students from the Patton School for Boys, which operated from 1925 to 1978.
Joining George in his efforts is Bernie Wise, vice president of the Alumni Association and chairman of the Scholarship Committee. As a child, Bernie attended the Patton School, across the street from the children’s home.
Boys who lived at the children’s home would often attend school on the Patton campus once they became old enough. Bernie graduated from the program in 1976, making him one of the last students to attend the school.
“If you were at the children’s home, you lived like a family and you had your friends at public
Bernie (left) and George
school,” Bernie said. “At the Patton School, you were together with the same kids 24/7, which created a different type of bond.”
Bernie attended Elizabethtown College, where he majored in psychology and minored in business. He first worked for Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, but ended up in the food industry, working at the Mars Chocolate North America factory in Elizabethtown.
“My independence and aptitude came from the trades I learned at the Patton School,” he said. “You did your chores and were expected to do a job and complete it. You learned discipline and responsibility. I don’t think the kids really understand until their senior year or after they leave what a gift it is to go to college debt-free [through scholarships provided by the children’s home].”
Today, George and Bernie remain a two-man team, working diligently to award money to deserving youth through the alumni association’s scholarship program. The program is not just for current children’s home graduates – alumni and their direct descendants can also apply. The scholarships can be used for vocational schools and working toward a bachelor’s degree. All applications are considered and reviewed by the scholarship board in early May, with the winners announced at the annual recognition ceremony in late May.
To volunteer with the Alumni Association, contact Bernie Wise at bernardwise58@ gmail.com or George Kahler at cgkah@yahoo.com.
For additional scholarship information, please visit PMYF.org.
This year, $12,000 was raised and 13 individuals received scholarships through the program. Since the program started in 1992, 279 scholarships have been awarded and $280,300 raised.
“We don’t get a lot of applications; there are only a certain number of people who are aware of the scholarships,” George said. “We put it in our newsletter, and those at the children’s home learn about it through their education coordinator.”
The Alumni Association typically awards between $10,000 to $18,000 in scholarships each year. These funds include children they are supporting from previous years (children must re-apply for each year of schooling).
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, job and teacher references, an essay and more. A five-person scholarship committee divvies out the funds.
“At the children’s home, almost everyone goes on to further their education,” Bernie said. “The funds we provide don’t necessarily go to tuition. They also help children with computers, books, supplies, clothing, train fares, etc. As a small association, this is a pretty big deal.”
“A lot of these kids didn’t think they’d be able to go to college, and they walk away with very little debt,” he
added. “Even after they graduate, the children’s home supports them with rent for a couple months, because they don’t have the support system like a lot of college students.”
While the children’s home currently has about 300 alumni, only a handful remain active with the Alumni Association. This is something George and Bernie hope to change someday.
“It doesn’t take a lot – maybe 20 to 30 hours a year volunteering as co-presidents,” Bernie said. “Our goal is to sustain the organization and keep it going so people have a reason to gather. Right now, George and I take on all the roles, and we have a secretary, Amanda Halman. We work very well together. But we’re getting up there in age. We want newer alumni to take over.”
George and Bernie are responsible for distributing two newsletters a year and organizing an annual alumni picnic in June and an alumni weekend in October. Typically, around 25 alumni attend these events.
“We are a unique group [of alumni] who came together under the worst circumstances,” Bernie said. “We’ve seen people flourish through the children’s home program. We are a special group. ”
George and Bernie were elected to two-year terms 10 years ago, but they never left the role. “We do have meetings and people show up, but we never have elections,” George said. “We enjoy it [the program], but plan to hand it off. We still plan to remain involved with the program.”
Ready to Take on the World
Bridget and Calvin, both graduating seniors, have had wonderful experiences at the Masonic Children’s Home. As they prepare for college, they look back at the journey that got them to where they are now and look forward to a bright future ahead.
Bridget has had many milestones throughout her time in high school. She received a leadership award for her involvement with the varsity cheerleading team and was also named Homecoming Queen this past fall.
She has lived at the children’s home since the summer before fourth grade and said it will be hard to leave her friends and the house parents she has grown to know and love.
“From a young age, I’ve been more on the timid side, so when I came to the children’s home and was greeted with smiles and kindness from the staff
and kids, I knew it would soon be a place I could call home,” Bridget said in her speech during the milestone 100th Youth Appreciation Day in May. “We’ve gone through a pandemic together, and for a period of time, we
only saw each other. Calling some of these people friends would be an understatement – we’re family.”
At the children’s home, Bridget said she became independent. She also
Bridget
Bridget, R.W. Grand Master Larry A. Derr and Calvin
learned patience, especially living with other girls in close quarters. She credits the house parents for giving her support and guidance.
“Because of the children’s home, I’ve gained so many mentors in my life,” she said. “These house parents change lives. I’ve learned the most valuable lessons.”
Bridget will attend Widener University this fall and plans to study psychology. “I’m ready for something new, a new chapter,” she said.
Calvin moved to the children’s home when he was 12 years old. Calvin’s older sister already lived at the home, and he has another sibling there now. There was an immediate connection between Calvin and his housemates, which has only grown stronger over the years.
“All of us are like family,” he said. “They’re my brothers.”
Calvin recognizes the influence his house parents have had on his life, from teaching him valuable skills like tidying up his room, to learning how to manage time and keep his grades up.
“At every stage, I’ve always learned something from my house parents,” he said. “They taught me how to manage work, school and sports, and, most importantly, how to be a mature young man.”
Calvin was a member of both the football and track teams at high school and will attend La Salle University this fall to study nursing.
R.W. Grand Master Larry A. Derr said during his remarks to the seniors at Youth Appreciation Day:
“Congratulations! Everyone in this room is proud of you, as you should be of yourselves. Soon you will embark on your next chapter in pursuit of your dreams. Always
remember that the Pennsylvania Masonic fraternity believes in you and is here to support you.”
Both Bridget and Calvin thanked the donors who have given them a caring, safe place to live and provided so many opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.
“I am really grateful for everything that they have not only done for me, but for everyone else here,” Calvin said. “We all appreciate it, so thank you very much.”
“I thank the donors who made these memories possible,” Bridget said. “Because of your genuine, generous hearts, we have the opportunities our families have prayed for. I am forever indebted to you.”
Calvin (above and below) and Bridget (below) were gifted with personalized quilts from the Piece Makers Quilt Group, comprised of about 30 members, including residents of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown
MILESTONES AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Our two seniors, Calvin and Bridget, were celebrated at this year’s Annual Senior Picnic. Both graduates were presented with thoughtful gifts and wellwishes to support them on their college journey. Also, juniors and seniors attended the Elizabethtown Area High School prom - a night to remember!
YOUTH APPRECIATION DAY
A ballroom full of staff, family members, educators and donors watched as the 36 residents of the Masonic Children’s Home were celebrated for their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements at the 100th annual Youth Appreciation Day on May 16.
