Annual Mayor’s Motorcade spreads cheer

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Mayors of area towns and communities took part in Tuesday's motorcade. Vaishali Patel

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December 8, 2010

Vaishali Patel The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Dec 08, 2010, 02:00 PM EST

MILLEDGEVILLE — As Tuesday’s 45 degree temperature and cold winds froze those outdoors, a few hundred residents and state officials fought the chill to spread the spirit of Christmas to the consumers of Central State Hospital (CSH) during the 52nd annual Mayor’s Motorcade.

Milledgeville residents Leo and Debra Nelson set up their chairs on the front lawn of the Powell Building an hour before the start of the day’s holiday celebration, keeping warm with coffee, coats, gloves and earmuffs.

“I’ve been coming to watch the Mayor’s Motorcade for at least eight years. There are [fewer] people here [than past years] since things have slowed down here,” said Leo, a CSH employee, of the future of the hospital. “Central State has been here for a long time, longer than any hospital around, and I hate to see it downsize like it has.”

“[The M-Day event] is 100 percent important. It gives clients a lot to look forward to and it gives them time to get out,” Debra added. “We’re here to support [family, friends] and the hospital. Atlanta needs to keep looking at Milledgeville; we need all the help we can get because there’s too many people without jobs.”

The parade featured CSH staff and volunteers, Baldwin County Fire Rescue, the Sandersville Fire Department, Old Capital Car Club, Central Care, Georgia Military College Prep School and Baldwin High School bands and NJROTC, representatives from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), mayors from various Georgia cities, and other business representatives who made their way to the Powell Building from the Nursing Home Center on floats and vehicles as they waved and threw candy into the passing crowd.

“This is a very important event ... because it gives [clients] something to look forward to,” said Nita Cagle, wife of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, after the parade. “The staff and volunteers came together with their enthusiasm and made an extra effort for today’s events.”

As the parade concluded, those in attendance headed to the auditorium to enjoy a holiday-themed musical performance titled “Christmas Memories” in which CSH staff, volunteers and clients and community members danced and sang.

“This year is called ‘Christmas Memories’ to communicate the joy and memories of the holiday season,” Regional Hospital Administrator Dr. Larry Latham said during his opening remarks to the musical display. “This is my first [Mayor’s Motorcade] and it’s been wonderful. This is a great kickoff to the season.”

Since M-Day began in 1958 by former First Lady of Georgia, Betty Vandiver, to ensure CSH clients were remembered on Christmas, thousands of gifts and funds have been collected to support the effort.

“We do have an increase of donations from last year. We are sorting through all of the donations now. Each client has a wishlist, and we will fulfill their top three choices on Christmas Day,” CSH Communications Director Kari Brown said Tuesday afternoon. “I would say this year was very successful. We had a nice turnout and everyone seemed to have a great time. It’s a great start to the holiday season.”

The Milledgeville-Baldwin County community is encouraged to donate even more items for future M-Day events.

“We spend our time to gather here to make sure ... folks in the county who are less fortunate ... are remembered at this time. For the last 50-plus years, Central State staff have taken the time to make sure our clients are taken care of,” Milledgeville Mayor Richard Bentley said. “Clients are part of this community, and this is what a loving community does.”

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