By Mary Lackie

Plans began last summer for a Christmas party that brought together 475 children from 20 neighborhood day-care centers Sunday at the Cathedral Center.

All parish organizations were involved in the program coordinated by the Adult Organization for Youth. The Infant of Prague Circle began last summer collecting and dressing the 100 dolls for the party. More than 60 teenagers in the parochial school and school of religion welcomed the guests and served refreshments. Children of the parish donated gifts and participated in the program.

“The Littlest Angel” was presented under the direction of Sister John Bosco, G.N.S.H. The teenage choir and an orchestra entertained with Christmas carols. Santa Claus (Father Vincent J. Prendergast) distributed gifts with the aid of helpers and two clowns (Father Jerry Hardy and Father Henry Gracz).

Dolls the size of little girls were carried with the help of teenage volunteers. In the excitement of the party, teenagers comforted the small guests, holding them on their laps and visiting with them. When the party ended, the staff of the centers were assisted by nuns, priests and parishioners in the task of loading the buses. “It wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s cooperation,” said Mrs. Robert Edmonds of the adult organization for youth.

Across the city in Bowen Homes Housing project, a dedication and open house marked the initiation of a day care program for handicapped children that involved three years’ planning and the cooperation of church and community organizations.

Dr. Donald F. Spille, executive director, Metropolitan Atlanta Mental Health Association, Inc. said, “This is a milestone in providing day care for handicapped children in their immediate residential area. In my opinion, this will be a model program—the forerunner to day care programs to be developed in other residential areas of metropolitan Atlanta.

The program originated to provide mothers with some relief from the demands of 24-hour care required by such children. Dr. Spille said, “However, we found that the children were exhibiting certain personality and educational benefits so that with our limited means, we have been more successful than anticipated.”

Mrs. Dorothy Knox, public health nurse from Center Hills Center, said she visited all 650 residents of Bowen Homes in an attempt to organize a program that would include all mentally or physically handicapped children. “Many of the mothers wouldn’t talk to case workers about their children,” she said.

At first, the mothers and children met for two hours a week in the recreation center. The parents’ meetings provided an opportunity for discussion and relaxation. Later, the meetings were held at St. Paul of the Cross School, but transportation difficulties forced an end of the program last April.

Mrs. Knox brought the problem to the attention of M.B. Satterfield, executive director, Atlanta Housing Authority and Mrs. Bessie Knight. “When we recognized the need for the center, we leased a unit of Bowen Homes for a dollar a year to St. Paul of the Cross Church, sponsors of the program,” Mrs. Knight said.

The small, trained staff includes two Neighborhood Youth Corps workers and is salaried by EOA. Mrs. Nancy Bell prepares a well-balanced hot lunch for the 12 children, using surplus food. The children range in age from three to nineteen years. The center is open five days a week from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Parents contribute $1.25 a week to the program.

Participating in the dedication ceremonies were Mrs. Knox, the Rev. C.W. Jackson, pastor of Shaw Temple; Mrs. Knight, Atlanta Housing Authority; Amos Parker, Northwest EOA Center, Father Edward J. Banks, C.P., pastor of St. Paul of the Cross; Father Richard F. Leary, C.P., assistant pastor, and the chorus from A.D. Williams elementary school, under the direction of Mrs. J. W. Montgomery.

More than 200 guests attended the open house and tour. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Bell, assisted by three teenage volunteers: Tommie May Bryant, Bowen Homes Youth Town member, and Toni and Lucia Clarke, St. Paul of the Cross school.

“We are grateful to all who helped in any way,” Father Leary said. “The local agencies, individuals and organizations.’ Among those who contributed furniture, clothing, and toys were St. Joseph’s Village, Fairhaven School, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cancer Home.