TIFTON — The city is having Christmas in July.
Every year the city raises funds to purchase gifts for residents at Southwestern State Hospital in Thomasville through the Georgia Mayor’s Motorcade project. Tifton residents can help raise money and maybe win a bicycle to put under their Christmas tree.
Two bikes — one for a boy and one for a girl — that have been donated by Wal-Mart are on display at Tifton City Hall; raffle tickets are $1. Tickets may be purchased at City Hall or at the Code Enforcement office at the Tift County Administration Building.
Getting your tickets now will help the City of Tifton celebrate Christmas in July. All proceeds go to the Georgia Mayor’s Motorcade project.
The drawing for the bikes will be at 10 a.m. on July 31.
“As mayor, I am extremely excited to be involved with the Motorcade committee this year and ask for everyone to come out and purchase a raffle ticket,” said Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater.
Cities involved in the Georgia Mayor’s Motorcade have fundraisers and collect money and gifts throughout the year for patients at state mental hospitals for Christmas. Tifton’s gifts go to Southwestern State Hospital in Thomasville.
Other hospitals which receive gifts are West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus, Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in Rome, Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah, Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta and Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta.
The Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade began in 1958 at the request of Gov. Ernest Vandiver. Besides providing gifts for patients, the program aims to raise awareness of the needs of Georgia’s mental hospitals. There are seven regional mental health hospitals in Georgia, serving approximately 3,200 patients. Many of these patients have lived in the hospital facility for much of their lives and receive little, if any, support from their families.
“Without the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade, the staffs at these hospitals have told us, many of their clients would not receive a gift at Christmas,” Cater said. “It touches my heart greatly to see the Christmas spirit demonstrated by the citizens of Tifton and Tift County all year round as they support all the different projects our city Motorcade committee sponsors.”
Any of the gifts that are not handed out at Christmas are used for birthdays or given to newly arrived clients. “In this way, cities help the hospitals celebrate special occasions year-round and help the hospitals meet the needs of their clients,” Cater said.
Cater added, “Once again, thank you Tifton. We are known as the Friendly City and I know with your help this event will be very successful.”
Top contact reporter Jana Cone, call 382-4321, ext. 208.
Local News
Ho, ho, ho! Tifton looks toward Christmas, raffles bikes
- Local News
-
-
Chet Powell starts new wildlife group
Many South Georgians enjoy the beauty of bountiful wildlife. But chances are, few realize that there are those special people out there who work diligently and spend their own money rescuing and rehabbing injured and orphaned animals.
And perhaps not many know about the Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association that is newly formed with Colquitt Countian Chet Powell at its helm. - Warm weather could lead to armies of mosquitoes
-
BOE introduces behavioral specialists
Programs addressing student behavioral issues were among items discussed at a recent Tift County Board of Education work session.
At Tuesday’s night meeting, Joy West, special education director, introduced three behavioral specialists who have been placed in four local schools to address behavior: Debra Woods at Charles Spencer Elementary, Leigh Ann Haworth at G.O. Bailey Primary and at Len Lastinger Primary, and Jennifer Glenn at Matt Wilson Elementary School.
West said that grades kindergarten through fifth were looked at because a panel saw a great need to address discipline at an early age. -
Community helps with ‘Operation Valentine’
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals, with the help of some local churches, recently worked on a project, “Operation Valentine,” sending more than 100 personal valentines to military personnel. Local young students created the valentines, which were sent along with some goodies.
Suzanne Myers with Bowen-Donaldson said the funeral home is the Tift County Veterans and Family Memorial Care Provider. - Lee Grace Dougherty to appear in court today
-
Wood turning event Saturday at museum
-
Ga. House rejects charter schools amendment
House lawmakers rejected Wednesday a proposed amendment to the state constitution giving the General Assembly the power to create new charter schools.
- I-75 traffic grinds to halt due to deadly wreck in N. Ga.
-
Statewide tornado drill today
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are the No. 1 severe weather-related killer in Georgia. With tornado season fast approaching, Gov. Nathan Deal, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security and NWS are urging all residents to prepare now for these violent storms. To help Georgians prepare for these dangerous storms, NWS will issue a statewide tornado drill today, and GEMA asks that all schools, households and businesses participate in the drill. GEMA also encourages residents to get ready for tornadoes by purchasing and programming a NOAA Weather Radio.
-
Truck drives off I-75
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
