Low-Cost Lodging Unveiled For Atlanta Medical Center Visitors

ATLANTA -- The Mary Ann Manley House recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate renovations to the house, including updated private bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathrooms and office, new flooring and furniture, interior painting, landscaping improvements, kids play area and relaxing outdoor space. Just a short walk from the WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, the Manley House offers low-cost accommodations (at $10 per night) to out-of-town guests while visiting their loved ones in the hospital.

As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, Mary Ann Manley's granddaughter and namesake partnered with the Atlanta Medical Center and the WellStar Foundation to renovate the Mary Ann Manley House.

The Mary Ann Manley House is a 23-bedroom house situated across the street from the hospital, which provides affordable lodging for the families of patients who don’t live near the hospital. As one of only two Level I Trauma Centers in metro Atlanta area, the hospital sees many patients who are in terrible accidents, including many who are flown in from other areas of Georgia for specialized trauma care and families from out-of-state who experience a medical issue while visiting Atlanta or traveling through the airport. Each year, about 360 families stay at the Manley House.

The house was built by Georgia Power in 1999 and dedicated in memory of Mary Ann Strother Manley, who transformed the volunteer arm of Georgia Power from “Women of Georgia Power” into “Citizens of Georgia Power,” engaging both male and female employees in a legacy of charitable giving. The house was later gifted to the Atlanta Medical Center.

The year-long project was a collaboration between the Manley Family, Georgia Power, the WellStar Foundation, and WellStar Atlanta Medical Center. The project received support from the Manley Family and their friends, and Georgia Power (including the Georgia Power Foundation, Citizens of Georgia Power, current employees and retirees). The house also benefited from in-kind donations from HAVERTY’s Furniture, Cherokee Flooring Company, Serta Simmons Bedding, and others.

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PHOTO: Jim Budzinksi (CFO, WellStar Health System), Carole Kell (Chair, WellStar Foundation Board of Trustees), Jason Manley, Mary Ann Manley, Rob Manley, James Manley Sr., Jill Manley, Jay Manley, Jim Manley, Stuart Downs (VP Operations & COO, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center). Image Manley House