Albany lending hand to West Central Georgia Hospital

ALBANY — The city of Albany is expected to do its part to make the holiday season special for residents of West Central Georgia Hospital by serving people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.

A decorated donation box will be placed at Saturday’s Mistletoe Market at the Albany Civic Center. Three other collection boxes will be placed in the mayor’s office at 222 Pine Ave., the Utility Administration Complex at 401 Pine Ave. and the Recreation and Parks Department at 1301 N. Monroe St. through Dec. 6.

For 58 years, cities across Georgia have brought holiday season joy to patients at Georgia’s regional behavioral health hospitals through the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. The program, begun by the Georgia Municipal Association, or GMA, in cooperation with former Gov. Ernest Vandiver and his wife, Betty Vandiver, relies on citizen participation in each city to donate gifts for the patients, many of whom officials said would not receive gifts or be recognized without the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade.

Officials said hospital staff have noted that many of the patients have little, if any, support or contact with friends and family. Donated items will be delivered to the facility on Dec. 8. Requested gifts include clothing, drawing pads, composition books, thick markers, puzzles, playing cards, snack items, gift bags, personal care items and movies on DVD with a G or PG rating.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 520 member cities.

Civic organizations, businesses, churches, schools, Scout troops and individual citizens are encouraged to help with the collection of gifts for the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. For more information on how groups can participate, contact Kristin Caso, special event and marketing coordinator for the city of Albany, at (229) 430-5222.