Letter to the editor

Dear editor,
In the state of Georgia there are several thousand citizens living in Georgia’s five state hospitals and two community areas that serve clients with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Many of these clients have lived in these hospitals most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with or support from friends or family.
In 1959, the Georgia Municipal Association and then Governor Ernest Vandiver created the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade to help these hospital clients celebrate Christmas by providing each with a present. The staffs at the regional hospitals tell us that without the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, many patients would go without any type of gift or recognition during the holidays.
Our city has started its gift collection campaign and we are asking for your help. The hospital clients are part of our community and we would like to encourage all of you to remember them this holiday season. If your school, church, business or civic group would like to participate in an outstanding holiday community project please contact Katie Barrett at the City of Eastman at 478-374-7721 or kate@cityofeastman.com for further information on how you can get involved. Please drop off gifts and/or money to the city hall by Friday, December 4, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Let’s not forget those less fortunate during the holiday season.
Katie Barrett