Dear editor: In the state of Georgia, there are several thousand citizens living in Georgia’s seven hospitals serving people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. Many of these patients have lived in these hospitals most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with support from friends or family.
Fifty-two years ago, in 1958, the Georgia Municipal Association and then-Gov. Ernest Vandiver created the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade to help these hospital patients celebrate Christmas by providing each with a present. The staff at the regional hospitals tells us that without the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, many patients would go without any type of gift or recognition during the holidays.
Richmond Hill has started its gift collection campaign and we are asking for your help. The hospital clients are part of our community, drawn from a region, 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 me at 756-3851 for further information on how you can get involved.
Let’s not forget those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Sincerely,
Steve Scholar
Director, planning and zoning
City of Richmond Hill