City sends tractor-trailer load of gifts as part of Mayors' Christmas Motorcade
Submitted photo Pictured: (L-R) Police Chief Shane Edmisten, Mayor Tony Paulk, Mayor Pro Tem Cindy McNeill, Santa, City Manager Charles Davis, Sha’Nia Smith (Executive Assistant), Bryson Lott (Fire Dept.) and J.G. Gillis (truck driver). The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade was held in Savannah at Georgia Regional Hospital on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Officials representing the City of Douglas delivered a truck load of gifts for the patients at the mental and behavioral health facility. J.G. Gillis, one Jean’s Team Logistics drivers, delivered the gifts to the hospital. Douglas is the only city to provide a tractor-trailer load of gifts to the patients.
GMA began the Mayors' Christmas Motorcade in 1959 at the request of then-Governor Ernest Vandiver as a way of providing holiday gifts for the patients of Georgia's mental health hospitals. The program aims at raising the awareness of the needs of Georgia's mental facilities. The Christmas spirit demonstrated by cities during the Motorcade extends beyond the holiday season.
Any gifts not handed out during Christmas are used for client birthdays or given to newly arrived clients who may need many of the items. In this way, cities help the hospitals celebrate special occasions year-round and help the hospitals meet the needs of their clients. Special thanks to Walmart Distribution Center 6010 and everyone who contributed to make this a joyous occasion for the patients.