Albany High School ornament is officially the 2017 city of Albany Christmas ornament

ALBANY — Albany High School may be gone, but it’s not forgotten. And with the nostalgia that comes with Christmas, it may be the most popular ornament yet in the series by Easter Seals South Georgia.

On Monday, Mayor Dorothy Hubbard joined Easter Seals board members and staff to make the depiction of the Albany High Indians mascot the city’s official Christmas ornament for 2017. Hubbard read and signed her proclamation at the event at the organizations office on Palmyra Road.

After the Albany Herald broke the news that the ornament would feature Albany High School, orders began rolling in despite the fact that the design was yet to be created. Sight unseen, more than 500 ornaments were pre-ordered.

That early excitement prompted Easter Seals to increase the number that would be available. “With all the pre-orders and the excitement surrounding the ornament’s design, we ordered 2,000 this year,” Easter Seals Southern Georgia Executive Director Beth English said. “Our normal order is 1,000.”

Each ornament comes in an orange Easter Seals box with a green ribbon — the AHS school colors — and has a numbered certificate of authenticity as well as a brief history of Albany High dating to 1886. Each is plated in 24-carat gold and made in the United States.

All proceeds from the sales go to benefit Megan’s House, a respite facility for children with special needs, including the medically fragile. Megan’s House is funded solely through donations. A new and greatly improved Megan’s (Dream) House is scheduled to open on Forrester Parkway after the first of the year.

Pre-ordered ornaments are ready for pickup and those ordered by mail have been shipped. While was an ample supply available Monday, organization officials noted they have been selling quickly. those interested in seeing or buying an ornament can visit Easter Seals at 1906 Palmyra Road or call (229) 439-7061.

Each ornament is $18 with an additional $3 for shipping.