Christmas donations being accepted to help mental health hospitals in Georgia

Various Middle Georgia cities are continuing the tradition of providing Christmas gifts for patients at mental health hospitals.

Macon-Bibb County and Warner Robins are among the region's cities participating in the annual Mayors' Christmas Motorcade that will give donations of money and necessities to mental health hospitals across Georgia.

Donations are now being accepted at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center until Nov. 27. On Dec. 1, the donations will be taken to Central State Hospital in Milledgeville for a Christmas ceremony.

Last year, Macon-Bibb County raised nearly $1,800 and collected six bins of items, according to a news release.

"I think the Christmas season is a little different for children and seniors at that hospital," said Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Al Tillman, who is co-chairman of the local effort along with Mayor Robert Reichert. "Oftentimes they may get a visitor, but oftentimes may not get a gift or a toy. We hope everybody can bring a gift or make a donation."

The various items being accepted include clothing, personal hygiene products and miscellaneous items such as Wii video games, DVDs, board games and puzzles.

This year's donations given in Warner Robins will go to the West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus. Donations can be dropped off at the city's fire station headquarters at 111 N. Pleasant Hill Road.

This is the 57th year of the motorcade that was started after Betty Vandiver, wife of then-Gov. Ernest Vandiver, visited the Milledgeville hospital.

"At the time there were 12,000 clients at that hospital," said Amy Henderson, director of communications for the Georgia Municipal Association. "To put it in perspective it was bigger than most cities in Georgia. (Vandiver) saw the need and came to GMA and asked if the cities could help, and we said of course we can."

People may contact their local government to see if it's participating in the drive. Any local government interested in accepting donations can visit gmanet.com for more information.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Christmas donations being accepted to help mental health hospitals in Georgia ."