Trivia about the Masonic Charities for Crippled Children, Inc. (MCCCI)

On July 29, 1924, prominent Masons met at the Masonic Temple at the Escolta and decided to house the Masonic Ward for Crippled Children at the Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, Manila. This ward opened its doors to five children on September 23, 1925.

Except for a brief period during World War II, the ward has operated continuously and has increased its capacity to 20 beds. It is managed by the MCCCI which is supported by annual assessments on Philippine Masons and run by a 9-member Board of Trustees. It also receives donations and legacies.

The Masonic Ward is operated and maintained by orthopedic surgeons with extensive training and experience here and abroad. On November 26, 1987, the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled awarded the prestigious Apolinario Mabini Award to the MCCCI. Then President Corazon C. Aquino presented the award in special ceremonies held at Malacanang.

The MCCCI, through its free surgical and medical program, has helped rehabilitate thousands of children suffering from poliomyelitis, congenital deformities like clubfoot, tuberculosis of the bones, bone tumors, and other deformities. It has other units in Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Baguio and Cabanatuan.