VALDOSTA, Ga. – On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Valdosta Mayor John Gayle, also known as the “Mayor of Parkwood,” beamed with ease.

Gayle was decked out in a Christmas light necklace and green and red elfin cap at Parkwood Development Center on Lee Street.

This was the fifth year Mayor Gayle has participated in this annual event of giving, and it’s also his final year as Valdosta’s Mayor, having been elected in 2012.

Just the day before there had been a runoff election for his position. All that’s left is an official announcement at the end of the week and Gayle and the rest of the community will know who has to fill his shoes as the City of Valdosta’s Mayor.

Gayle has weathered many years at the helm of the city and this event at Parkwood is by far one of his most enjoyable.

And he’s got a few choice words for the soon-to-be-sworn-in new mayor.

“The first thing I want to do is make sure that whoever is the new mayor does this every year himself and wears these hats and blinking lights and everything because it’s very important for these children and I want to make sure it’s carried on,” Gayle said. “I just hope they don’t try to stop this because I can tell you they won’t be very popular.”

Members of the Valdosta Fire Department were also at Parkwood, pulling up to Parkwood’s entrance in with one of their shinest red fire engines to wow the crowds of residents who swarmed out to take a look at the magical spectacle.

The event was first established in 1998 when Southwestern in Thomasville served as the state hospital.

“I remember the first one I went to at Southwestern,” Gayle reflected. There were quite a few kids and adults in worse condition than they are here. It was really an emotional experience.”

Gayle recalls how when the gifts were carried into Southwestern what joy it brought to those patients.

“Of course, they shut that (Southwestern) down and I took that opportunity to make sure we do this locally instead of going out of town,” Gayle added. “We have so many needs here locally. I’m proud that we were able to do it. We’re the only city in the state who does this, as far as I know. The rest carry or send gifts to Milledgeville but we have so many needs locally.”

Gayle and firemen gathered inside Parkwood’s common room where a Christmas tree was surrounded by a bounty of gifts large and small. As the firemen and Gayle went around the room passing out presents to each resident, the light within each warmed the chilly morning.

“To see the excitement that these gifts give them, the smiles on their faces, they’re so excited about anything they get,” Gayle said. “Some of them wouldn’t have a Christmas if it wasn’t for this.”

Gayle said this year was a record-breaker.

“This year says a lot about our community,” Gayle said. “We’ve really taken in a lot of gifts and cash contributions. It’s an example of how giving Valdosta is. It was overwhelming. Much more so than in years past. I’ve come to realize that this community will give sometimes well beyond their means. You don’t even know some of the people who give, they don’t want you to know. They have the wherewithal to give and they do it.”