The Bermuda Junior Service League (BJSL) is sending out an appeal to local businesses asking them for donations to the 50th annual Hospital Christmas Bag campaign.

The bags are filled with small gifts for the nearly 200 patients, including children, who are confined to a hospital bed over the Christmas holidays.

In past years donated items have included: toiletries, games, gift certificates, playing cards, watches, fruit, books, magazines, perfume, slippers, batteries, candy, and stuffed animals.

BJSL volunteers contact over 100 businesses in hopes of collecting donations, then make all arrangements to pick up and store all merchandise until the week before Christmas. ?It?s the generous volunteers of the BJSL who make this campaign a reality year after year,? said BJSL president Melanie Whaley.

The week before Christmas, the gifts are collected into bags based on age and gender, and delivered to the three health care institutions on the Island: Agape House, St. Brendan?s and the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. ?You can just imagine the smiles on the patients? faces as they received these unexpected gifts,? said project chairperson Deboray Titterton-Narraway.

Those interested in supporting BJSL in this effort can call 292-4060 or e-mail at BJSLnorthrock.bm.