In 1958 Georgia First Lady Betty Vandiver asked cities to help clients of mental health facilities such as Central State Hospital at Christmas by donating gifts to clients, and 50 years later the impact of Mrs. Vandiver’s request continues on as communities all over the state are gathering up gift donations in preparation for the 50th Anniversary of the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade Dec. 2.

The list of items that CSH is asking for may seem like a small request to some, but for many clients the receipt of these items has a very great impact.

“It means a lot to the clients and the staff to be given these gifts. It’s very heartwarming to me personally to see all the excitement buzzing around the hospital right now,” said Kari Brown, Central State Hospital Institutions Communications director.

The list of items being requested as donations for clients include items such as board games, playing cards, and CDs, but the list also requests donations for things as simple as a toothbrush, cosmetics, new clothes or event a set of stationary.

Items are currently being accepted at several locations around town including the Milledgeville Police Department, the Milledgeville Police Department’s Mall Precinct and the CSH Auditorium.

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the event, spouses of former Georgia governors over the past 50 years including Mrs. Vandiver, have all been invited to honor the tradition that has meant so much to people in the hospital, says a press release for the event.

“I had no idea it would go on this long,” said Mrs. Vandiver, “but I’m so glad it is and thankful that the mayors won’t let it die.”

The festivities on Dec. 2 will begin with the receiving of gifts from 8 a.m. until noon at the Howell Building on the Central State Hospital campus, which will be followed by a parade at 12:30 p.m. throughout the CSH campus and ending with a musical performance by staff, clients and community members at 1:30 p.m. in the CSH Auditorium.

“In all the research I’ve been doing trying to get ready for it, it’s a very big deal here,” said Brown. “The clients look forward to it every year, especially the parade.”

“The parade is a pretty large parade,” Brown added. “There will be several different car clubs and other community organizations that are coming out as well the GMC marching band and ROTC and the BHS marching band and ROTC.”

Anyone who wishes to donate gifts after Dec. 2 can do so at the Central State Hospital auditorium or the Howell Building, said Brown, and all gifts are certainly appreciated by the clients.

“The staff at Central State will take the month of December and organize the gifts and go through the list and select gifts that the clients have requested,” said Brown.

An encore presentation of the Mayor’s Motorcade musical production will be held at the Central State Auditorium at 7 p.m. Dec. 2.