Albany’s 2026 Christmas ornament honors Ballet Theatre South

Easterseals fundraiser supports respite care, adult day programs and assistance for families of children with disabilities.

ALBANY — A scene from Ballet Theatre South’s “The Nutcracker” will hang on southwest Georgia Christmas trees as Albany’s official 2026 ornament, continuing an Easterseals Southern Georgia fundraiser that helps pay for disability services throughout the year.

Mayor Bo Dorough unveiled the ornament Monday outside the Dougherty County Government Center and read a proclamation recognizing both the holiday collectible and the children and adults its sales support.

The ornament depicts dancers around a decorated Christmas tree, bringing Ballet Theatre South into an annual collection Easterseals has sponsored since 1992. The organization’s online store lists this year’s ornament, “Ballet Theatre South — The Nutcracker,” for $28.

The proclamation opened with a reminder that the purpose of the project extends beyond the Christmas season.

“The spirit of giving should continue year-’round,” Dorough read.

The proclamation recognized that Easterseals Southern Georgia “provides direct services to children and adults with disabilities on a year-round basis” and noted the ornament carries the Albany-Dougherty County Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement.

It also stated that “all sales benefit the children and adults served by the Easter Seals of Southern Georgia.”

After the reading, participants gathered for photographs in front of the city’s Christmas tree. Lydia Shivers, a young dancer from Ballet Theatre South’s youth company, represented the organization at the event.

For Easterseals, the annual unveiling introduces another design to longtime collectors while drawing attention to services that support people with disabilities and their families.

“We’ve had many different ornaments, but we’ve had a lot of fun with this one,” John McCain, the organization’s president and CEO, said. “We’ve had many collectors come out to support this fundraiser for us.”

McCain identified Megan’s House, adult day programs and Champions for Children among the services supported by the ornament fundraiser.

Megan’s House provides overnight respite care, giving parents and other caregivers a temporary break while their loved ones receive care. McCain described it as the only respite house of its kind south of Atlanta.

According to Easterseals, the home is in Leesburg and can accommodate up to four children or adults at a time. Services are available for scheduled visits and crisis situations, with care plans developed by a registered nurse.

The organization describes respite care as a way for caregivers to rest, address their own health needs, spend time with other family members or take part in community activities. Megan’s House serves people with developmental disabilities or autism.

The adult day programs support a different part of daily life: opportunities for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to spend time with peers, develop skills and participate in their communities.

The services combine activities at an Easterseals center with outings into the community, with support tailored to each participant’s needs and preferences.

The programs serve adults 18 and older and operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday in Dougherty, Dooly and Tift counties, according to the organization.

McCain also highlighted Champions for Children, which helps families with medical expenses for children younger than 18 who have disabilities or other special needs.

The statewide program is managed by Georgia’s five Easterseals affiliates. It provides financial assistance for eligible children’s disability-related needs and helps families find services that allow them to continue caring for their children at home.

Depending on eligibility and family needs, assistance may include medical equipment and supplies, therapy, dental and vision services, respite care and transportation. A coordinator works with families to determine eligibility and connect them with approved resources, according to Easterseals.

The ornament project is one fundraising effort for an organization whose roots in Albany stretch back nearly seven decades.

Easterseals Southern Georgia began in 1957 as a medical rehabilitation program founded by Mildred Nix Huie. According to the organization’s history, Huie pursued a rehabilitation center in Albany after years of taking her daughter to Atlanta for treatment.

Its services later expanded to include family support, residential care, respite and employment programs. Easterseals reports that it provided direct services to 2,670 people across 77 Georgia counties in 2025.

Monday’s proclamation connected that work to a holiday purchase, asking residents young and old to support the ornament project and the services it helps fund.

Information about the 2026 ornament and Easterseals programs is available by calling (229) 439-7061. The organization’s website, southerngeorgia.easterseals.com, includes a link to its Christmas ornament store.