Bermuda has always enjoyed a reputation for generosity, never more so than at Christmas and New Year, when individuals and organisations traditionally make the sometimes difficult decisions over which charities they feel deserve most support. Ironically, it is perhaps this very generosity that has resulted in some smaller charitable organisations floundering recently. With the Centre on Philanthropy highlighting 162 organisations in this year's Directory of Registered Charities, it is almost inevitable that larger, more visible groups who can afford experienced fund-raisers will take the lion's share of Bermuda's charitiable resources. Once again, we have asked as many charities as possible to make a Wish List in the hope that someone, somewhere, will be inspired to act, either with gifts of money or that apparently ever-diminishing commodity, the gift of time to personally help those who desperately need our help. It may be children, who need the warmth and stability of adult mentors; it may be the gift of a computer (constantly updated models mean that many machines, still in perfect working order, are discarded by companies); it may be a gift of even a few dollars that will provide someone who's fallen on hard times with a meal -- or it may be as simple as donating a kettle or a heater to make someone's life just a little easier, a little happier. It was Nigel Stewart, Joint-President of the Bermuda Society for the Blind who blew the financial alarm whistle just two months ago, when he told The Royal Gazette his charity was "fighting to make ends meet'' and was currently unable to afford the materials used by the blind to make baskets which are then sold to the public. Fortunately, on that occasion, the response was immediate and generous. "Help came from all sectors of the community,'' he says, reserving special thanks for the Island's school children who rushed to help. "Dale Butler, principal of Dellwood School, asked his students to give up their candy money and they did! And Berkeley had two bake sales and donated an electric heater for Beacon House. We hear so much negativity about Bermuda's young people,'' he adds, "but the vast majority are fine individuals who care and are terribly generous. Since the article in the paper, we have received enough money to buy more materials and we are very grateful for that. We still have a long way to go, however. We are not a big charity and, in fact, we don't need to raise millions of dollars.

All we are asking for is enough cash to meet our day to day operating costs so that we can care for our people at Beacon House.'' Admitting to feeling worried about the future, with more and more charities already on the scene, Mr. Stewart says that his Society has to pay for the upkeep of Beacon House itself and approximately 20 individuals. "We look after all the practical needs of blind people, providing them with a good, cooked meal each day, and a place where they can gather for company, and work if they want to for which we pay them on a piece-basis.

Charities need some holiday cheer From Page 30 "We try to help with any medical or clothing costs and housing and generally keeping an eye on their welfare, so we would be very grateful to receive even small amounts of money or other practical assistance.'' Joanne McPhee, president of the Bermuda Society for Preventiion of Cruelty to Animals echoes the same concern. "We've found that support has been down these past couple of years and that is rather worrying. Funds are always nice to have, but that comes with community commitment to our animal shelter. There are so many charities vying now for attention and we've been around now for so long, we may be taken a little for granted. But we do need ongoing financial help and far greater support from the community.'' The Bermuda branch of The Salvation Army is another of the Island's oldest and most popular charities, providing emergency assistance with food, shelter and counselling, special programmes for Seniors, summer camping schemes, as well as operating a clothing and furniture `thrift' shop, using the proceeds for their work.

Maj. Wilson Noble says that one of their wishes for 1997 is to secure a youth camp facility and, secondly, to secure funding to continue the services they are already providing. "I suppose the bottom line is that we would like to be able to continue to fulfil the mandate and mission of the Salvation Army which is, basically, `meeting today's needs today'.'' Maj. Wilson says the men's addiction programme at Harbour Light is "going very well. We are full all the time with our two-phase programme which lasts up to six months, with 12 people participating at a time. Our emergency housing shelter copes with 90 to 100 people and that's full nearly all the time as well!'' He adds that some people, once they find employment, elect to stay on in the shelter until they are "on their feet'' again. "We do encourage everyone to go out and look for work. We also have to fund our Family Services programme, which is an everyday emergency assistance programme for people who are unemployed, or sick, and so on. That's the programme which provides the annual Christmas hampers.'' Founded in 1932, the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association is still helping people on a largely confidential basis, with food vouchers when necessary and assisting with essential overseas medical treatment in certain circumstances.

Secretary/Treasurer Better Peterson says their office wish list includes a typewriter, a shredder and a small-size office refrigerator. "We would like to extend warm season's greetings to everyone and especially our supporters who help with continued financial donations to assist in providing Christmas food vouchers for the needy.'' High on the list of "very effective'' charities is Big Brother and Big Sisters of Bermuda , set up in 1977 to match children from single-parent families with adults to provide children with companionship and guidance.

"Our biggest wish is for more Big Brothers! We have 70 or 80 boys between the ages of six and 14 who urgently need someone who cares about them,'' says president Dwayne Trott. "We only ask a minimum of three hours a week from our volunteers but we do need total commitment to reliability.'' Noting that potential volunteers have to be checked by Police and Social Services for suitability, Mr. Trott says there is a need for greater awareness of the problems faced by many young people today. "We need money, especially to increase our recruitment programme. Basically, our matching process ensures that people with similar interests are put together -- sports, or whatever. We like children to become involved in their sponsor's normal routine as, sometimes, this is the only experience they may have of family life, for instance.'' Closed since 1994 and hoping to open again next year is the Matilda Smith Williams Home for the Aged . In March of this year, an extensive programme of renovations and expansion began. So far, a new water tank has been built on the Kent Avenue property, with a new kitchenm, and the old office building converted into a commercial-size laundry. The new dining room has just been finished and the wooden floors have been replaced with concrete.

Chairperson Mrs. Lovette Brangman says that the total estimate was $2.1 million and "so far we are doing a little better than that! Our wish list is to be able to complete our entire building programme with donations, as we have done so far.'' She estimates that the Home will accommodate around 24 people when it re-opens, and when the second phase is completed, 38 to 40 people. "Each bedroom will have an adjoining bathroom, and there will be a geriatric bath. We are also planning an examination room for visiting doctors and therapists and a community room for visitors and a place for people to come in on a day care basis.'' Island charities From Page 31 "We are very grateful for all the help we've had and are looking for more good-fellas. We would like to wish all of Bermuda a blessed Christmas,'' said Mrs. Brangman.

One of Bermuda's newer charities, but one which attempts to address the age-old concern of caring for the mentally ill, is the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation . Formed only two years ago under the honorary -- but very "hands on'' -- chairmanship of Lady Waddington, the organisation has already bought and furnished a house where some of the Island's mentally ill can live in the shared accommodation approach which has been found to be so beneficial in helping them to live happier lives.

"Our aim is to buy houses in the community so that these people have a permanent home and don't have to rely on the Salvation Army, or live in a cardboard box! I would like to remind the public that, at the moment, this is how many of them have to live,'' says Lady Waddington. "We are just about to acquire our second house and it is partially paid for but our first `wish' is to be able to pay off the mortgage. Another thing would be to be able to furnish it, which we are doing room by room, and the third wish is that if there is someone out there in the community who would like to do something for charity, who is in the field of interior decorating and able to `pull things together', we would be very glad of their help.'' Another newer charity is The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation , formed in 1992 to support, educate and advise people on HIV and AIDS and to prevent their spread, through the active distribution and dissemination of information. Vice president Paul Dean says he would like to have more volunteers to "help spread the word on the importance of people protecting themselves from HIV infection''. More volunteers could also increase the assistance given to those infected with the disease. "We also need help with our Help Line and, of course, we are always looking for money to help with our various programmes.

But most of all,'' he emphasises, "I wish that people would acquaint themselves with the dangers of HIV. If I could have just one wish, that would definitely be it.'' Summerhaven is a residential facility which provides independent living for the physically disabled. Administrator Ianthia Simmons-Wade has a short and simple wish list: "We would like to receive donations of blankets, pillows and automatic tea kettles.'' Similarly, the requests from Meals on Wheels are simple enough. Established to supply nourishing, cooked meals for those who, due to ill health or advanced age cannot prepare adequate meals for themselves, the organisation delivers over 150 meals per week, providing at the same time, a reassuring day-time check on the recipients. Administrator Barbara Frith says their wish list is for sponsors to help more needy people who cannot pay for their meals. "They pay $3 per meal or $460 per year. We also need a commercial blender.'' The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Bermuda's Glenda Smith, herself an M.S.

sufferer, says they urgently need somewhere to hold their meetings. There are about 25 to 30 people with M.S. "We have a lot of literature now which explains what is still really a mystery disease, But we have nowhere to store it. We need somewhere that's wheelchair-accessible and not too many steps, preferably in a fairly central location.'' Friends of Hospice was formed in 1994 to provide volunteer services alongside those of the professionals, for terminally ill patients. Co-ordinator Hilary Soares says that while they have "pretty much'' all they need, she points out that donations are always needed to pay for the services of three employees.

Bermuda's charities make Christmas wishes From Page 32 "To pay a salary to our cook, for instance! It is important that we have regular funding which is reliable to ensure that we can continue to pay them.

We also need some of those synthetic logs -- patients love it when we put the fire on! We could also use some washable bureau scarves, and `Baby Wipes' and hypo-allergic talcs and powders.'' Unfortunately, it is this season which usually finds The Physical Abuse Centre (founded in 1979) busier than ever.

Office manager and fund-raiser Mrs. June Augustus, says that their shelter for abused women and children is "large'' and they are therefore looking urgently for some heaters to keep the building warm in the winter months. "Other things we urgently need is a blender, pots and pans, single-size bed linen and, most important, we are looking for two tape recorders and a supply of blank tapes. We could also use some money -- any donations would be very gratefully applied!'' Noting that the Centre has to raise sufficient funds to run the office and the shelter, Mrs. Augustus says that in 1991 they cared for 49 women and 50 children, in 1992, 64 women and 55 children, in 1993, 70 women and 65 children, in 1994, there were 68 women and 81 children and in 1995, 58 women sought shelter, along with 59 children. Telephone calls for assistance increased from 240 in 199l to 577 in 1995.

"I think more people know about us now and after the `Blow the Whistle on Violence' a lot of people sought help -- they didn't have the nerve to come in before! We are very sorry that the new legislation is still not yet law -- especially at this time of the year. Unfortunately, as of now, the Police still do not have the power of arrest at the scene, although that legislation is now promised for February.'' She reveals that this year, one of their social workers did a special course for Police recruits in Training School.

"This is important because the Police and the public do not always realise that it is sometimes very difficult for women to up and leave abusive men.

This is especially true if there are economic problems and children involved.

Offices are in the Recorder Building on Court Street, telephone 292-4366 and the Hot Line help number is 297-8278.

When the celebrations of New Year's fade into the light of common day, those who deal in alcohol and drug abuse find that this is a busy time as people who are "sick and tired of being sick and tired'' seem more inclined to seek help as a new year begins. Gordon Johnson, executive director at the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse says that his organisation wishes for "a continued increase in community support and involvement with the National Drug Commission efforts, as the NDC boards, staff and volunteers, bring focus and support to the work of so many fine people who are changing the direction of drug and alcohol issues from a community problem to a community solution''.

Charity may begin at home, but not necessarily targetting only the sick, the down-and-out and the afflicted. Many organisations, formed for the conservation and preservation of Bermuda's flora and fauna, as well as recognising the untapped resources of plants and sea-life in the treatment of disease, for instance, rely on charity.

The Bermuda Zoological Society 's Jack Ward reminds the public that they are committed to promoting conservation education. "This initiative is aimed at ensuring that environmental education at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo continues in perpetiuity, to increase awareness and appreciation of nature for the benefit of current and future generations. Actually,'' he adds, "providing education is perhaps more of a means rather than the ultimate wish, which is that man can learn to live in harmony with nature. For Christmas, we would gladly settle for the educator!'' It is precisely the fact that so many people are worried that Bermuda no longer lives in harmony with nature, which brought about the formation of Save Open Spaces (SOS) .

President and well-known photographer Ian MacDonald-Smith who has been fighting a furious battle to save the natural beauty of Ship's Hill from development says that his wish list is "for the peace and tranquillity of this Island and a little bit of moral philosophy that will bring a return of sanity on the environment of Bermuda. I also hope that those Bermudians who have any conscience get out of their armchairs and help environmental causes before it is too late. It would also be one of my wishes to have Ann Cartwright DeCouto back as Minister of Environment, as she is the only individual in Parliament who has demonstrated ecological understanding of the critical state of Bermuda's environment. In the meantime, we will be sending out 1997 membership forms and would beg people to join us in our battle to save Ship's Hill and other threatened open spaces.'' Finally, The Bermuda Historical Society , formed in 1927 -- long before "conservation'' became a household word -- has gathered a collection of furniture, ceramics, silver, books, pictures and other objects relating to the Island's history. President Andrew Bermingham says that his Society's wish list is very simple: "We would like to see more visitors, especially Bermudians in our museum (on the ground floor of the Bermuda Library), and to have them purchasing the historical books and periodicals that are on sale -- in other words, a demonstration of greater interest by Bermudians in their own heritage.'' He notes that they have just held an exhibition staged by various secondary schools.

There is a similar, heartfelt plea from Dr. Edward Harris, director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum . "I would like to see Bermuda take a greater interest in its beautiful heritage and one of the ways of achieving this would be to support the Maritime Museum by becoming a member at a cost of $25. We are especially keen for families to become members ($40). I would like to remind the community that the Museum receives no government support.''