Special to The Post-Searchlight

The City of Bainbridge will be doing its part to make the holiday season special for residents of the state’s mental health and retardation hospitals.

The Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association and endorsed by the City of Bainbridge, is an annual event conducted to raise awareness of the needs of patients housed in mental health and retardation hospitals throughout the state of Georgia. This program has a successful 53-year history and has made a difference for the patients housed in these care facilities. The City of Bainbridge donates to the Southwestern State Hospital. This facility houses approximately 60 patients who have year-round needs, especially at Christmas.

This year, the City of Bainbridge is raffling off a Philips 55-inch LCD flat screen television to benefit the Southwestern State Hospital through the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at City Hall. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Local citizens can also help by donating new and unwrapped gifts, including personal care items, clothing, games, and movies. A complete list of needed items is available at City Hall or on the City of Bainbridge’s website at www.bainbridgecity.com.

For more information on the raffle or Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade, call (229) 248-2000 or visit www.bainbridgecity.com.