In the state of Georgia there are several thousand citizens living in Georgia’s seven regional mental health and retardation hospitals. Many of these patients have lived in these hospitals most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with or support from friends or family.
Fifty-two years ago, in 1958, the Georgia Municipal Association and then-Governor Ernest Vandiver created the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade to help these hospital patients celebrate Christmas by providing each with a present. The staff at the regional hospitals tells us that without the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, many patients would go without any type of gift or recognition during the holidays.
Our city has started its gift collection campaign and we are asking for your help.
The hospital clients are part of our community, drawn from a region, and we would like to encourage all of you to remember them this holiday season.
West Central Georgia Regional Hospital located in Columbus is the hospital that the city of Fayetteville is supporting.
If your school, church, business, or civic group would like to partner with the city of Fayetteville in participating in an outstanding holiday community project, please contact Anne Barnard at 770-719-4159 for further information on how you can get involved.
You will find enclosed a prepared “Christmas Wish List” for the clients. Let’s not forget those less fortunate during the holiday season.
Thank you for your support.
Ken Steele, mayor
Fayetteville, Ga.
