Donations are being collected for the annual Mayor's Christmas Motorcade, which provides gifts and necessities to patients of Georgia's mental health and retardation facilities.
Containers have been set up throughout Statesboro for donations and a fund raiser was held last week at Wal-Mart. So far, things are going "really, really well," according to Statesboro Public Information Director Maggie Fitzgerald.
"We have definitely blown our record out of the water compared to the past," said Fitzgerald. "As far as I know, we're way over any records we've ever had. People have been very generous this year."
Among the items being collected are board games, cards, watches, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, tennis shoes, hats, sweat shirts and pants.
According to staff members at the various hospitals, many of the patients have lived there most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with friends and family.
"Most of the people live there," Fitzgerald said. "They're permanent residents."
Donations will also be accepted during the city's Downtown Holiday Celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This year, for the first, time, there are jars set up at area restaurants for people to make donations to while they're out to eat.
The program was started by the Georgia Municipal Association in conjunction with Governor Ernest Vandiver 48 years ago.
People wishing to donate can drop off their gifts or monetary contributions until Friday, December 8 at any of the drop off sites. They will be delivered on Wednesday, December 13.
Containers have been set up throughout Statesboro for donations and a fund raiser was held last week at Wal-Mart. So far, things are going "really, really well," according to Statesboro Public Information Director Maggie Fitzgerald.
"We have definitely blown our record out of the water compared to the past," said Fitzgerald. "As far as I know, we're way over any records we've ever had. People have been very generous this year."
Among the items being collected are board games, cards, watches, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, tennis shoes, hats, sweat shirts and pants.
According to staff members at the various hospitals, many of the patients have lived there most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with friends and family.
"Most of the people live there," Fitzgerald said. "They're permanent residents."
Donations will also be accepted during the city's Downtown Holiday Celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This year, for the first, time, there are jars set up at area restaurants for people to make donations to while they're out to eat.
The program was started by the Georgia Municipal Association in conjunction with Governor Ernest Vandiver 48 years ago.
People wishing to donate can drop off their gifts or monetary contributions until Friday, December 8 at any of the drop off sites. They will be delivered on Wednesday, December 13.