When it opens, the city of Cumming’s aquatic center will be furnished with equipment for children with special needs thanks to a donation made Tuesday.

Nancy Perry with Grayson’s Gift presented a check for about $51,000 to go toward outdoor playground equipment.

The nonprofit organization, named after Perry’s daughter and Councilman Ralph Perry’s granddaughter, gives special needs students a social outlet and offers support to their parents.

Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt said the city looks forward to adding the equipment to the center and “hopefully find a lot of happiness for a lot of children throughout the county.”

The center, which could take up to 18 months to build, is expected to open before 2012.

Nonprofit organizations and social services became the theme for Tuesday night’s city council meeting, as Jack Tiller presented information on Toys for Tots.

More than 718,000 toys were collected last year in the 18-county metro Atlanta area.

This year, however, Forsyth County has branched into the organization's north Atlanta chapter to “make sure the toys stay right here,” Tiller said.

“We need your help,” he said. “We need you to go to atlantatoysfortots.com, click on 'Cumming, GA' and do whatever you can to help us.”

Gravitt also read a proclamation declaring November National Home Health Care Month.

The proclamation encourages residents to learn more about home care and hospice for the elderly, disabled and infirm.

“Home care services allow families to stay together and provide for greater health, dignity and comfort in our communities,” Gravitt said.