12-02-08 2008 Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade

The 2008 Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade departed from McDonough on Tuesday, December 2nd heading for Central State Hospital in Milledgeville.  The purpose of the trip was to deliver nearly $4000 in gifts for the hospital residents purchased with donations from area businesses and citizens.

Although donations were down from past years, wise spending generated a large number of gift items including sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets, throws, toiletries, along with many other items to brighten the hearts of residents who may not receive anything this Christmas if not for the annual Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, a program of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA).

Representatives from many cities around Georgia take part in this annual event to assist the seven mental hospitals located within the state.  Participating cities collect Christmas gifts or money with which to buy gifts for each city’s designated hospital.  These gifts are then delivered the first part of December by representatives from the cities taking part.   

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this special program was started because former Georgia First Lady Betty Vandiver visited the only mental hospital in Georgia in the 1950’s, Milledgeville State Hospital, and found deplorable conditions.  She returned and discussed this situation with her husband, then Governor Ernest Vandiver, and things began to happen and changes began to occur.  This facility later became known as Central State Hospital. 

Mrs. Vandiver, one of the special guests this year, has been surprised by the on-going success of the Motorcade and is glad that the state’s Mayors refuse to let it die.  Starting in 1958, cities have participated in this benevolent effort on behalf of Central State Hospital with the addition of six more such facilities since the program’s inception. 

Making this year’s trip were Gary Barham, Josh Barham, Iris Sullivan, Casey Case and local Motorcade Chair Julie Alexander.  Mayor Billy Copeland was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict but had the following comments about this year’s Motorcade, “McDonough is proud to be a part of this special Georgia Municipal Association program that gives gifts to some very deserving people who may not receive any others.”  He added, “I want to especially thank program Chair Julie Alexander for her hard work again this year.  I also want to thank the five employees who found time in their busy schedules to make this trip and represent the City of McDonough at the 2008 Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade.”  

Accompanying the wagon of Christmas gifts bound for Central State Hospital in Milledgeville are City employees (L-R) Josh Barham, Julie Alexander, Iris Sullivan, Casey Case and Gary Barham.	Attending the 50th anniversary of the Mayors’ Motorcade is special guest Betty Vandiver, the person most responsible for its beginning in 1958 and wife of former Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver.