When the holiday season comes each year to Perry Wellness Center, one challenge is always the creation of a float for the downtown Americus Christmas parade. Designing a float that represents the mission of the organization while being cheery and colorful is a creative challenge to which staff and peers look forward.

This year, Amanda Perry and Jeff Williams teamed up to create this year’s entry. Given that Amanda is the daughter of PWC founder and CEO Stuart and wife Pam, and project manager Jeff Williams is a nationally renowned fine artist, it was a cinch that the float would be both meaningful and visually creative.

On December 1, the organization debuted the Perry Wellness Express, a colorful and realistic train engine, filled with PWC peers and bearing the message, “The Bell Still Rings for All Who Truly Believe.” Staff and peers also wore red tee shirts bearing the same message. Amanda designed and commissioned the printing of the shirts, which reflects the bell ringing of the season and the symbolic ringing of the bell that for decades has represented Mental Health America, a national advocacy organization.

Streaming light, the Perry Wellness Express seemed to chug its way down city streets, accompanied by a decorated golf cart, filled with seasonal plants and fruits, that advertised Rudy’s Happy Patch Market. The weather on this cold winter night was seasonally “frightful,” but the large crowd didn’t seem to notice, as they enjoyed the floats, strolling ensemble groups, and bands.

The highlight of the evening for PWC staff, peers, and friends was the awarding of first prize for best float to the Perry Wellness Express. Co-creator Jeff Williams said, “I do appreciate the honor, and I thank all of the peers and staff that helped plan and build the float.”

Stuart Perry was also proud of everyone’s efforts, exclaiming, “This creation by Jeff and Amanda was great! I am so happy that our float won first place and that Perry Wellness Center was front and center for this parade.”

In the photos above, the Perry Wellness Center Express passes the judge’s review stand at the Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus, followed by the Rudy’s Happy Patch Market “float.”