And the AIDS-support group, STAR, is appealing to the public to donate furnishings or time to ensure that the Smith's Parish residence -- to be known as The Light House, will become a "family unit''.

STAR's executive director Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong told The Royal Gazette the two-storey home, on three quarters of an acre just west of John Smith's Bay, is ready for the first five residents to move in.

The home, which is being leased to STAR by the Bermuda Housing Corporation, is located in an ideal private, attractive rural setting with the ocean as its closest neighbour.

Mrs. Armstrong said The Light House, which can accommodate up to 10 people, has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room, dining area, a "huge'' kitchen, laundry facilities, "lots'' of lawn space and space for "a good size'' garden.

She said it has all the bedroom furniture needed for the seven bedrooms -- some of which are large enough to have two beds.

But, Mrs. Armstrong said, furnishings for the bathrooms, living room, garden and kitchen electrical appliances, such as a stove, washer and dryer, and freezer, are needed.

"We also need pots, dishes, cooking utensils, heavy-duty garbage cans, clothes hampers, and a lawnmower,'' she added.

Some volunteers, from churches and the rest of the community, have already expressed their willingness to cook once a month at the home.

But Mrs. Armstrong said there is still a need for about 30 people to volunteer two-to-four hours a week.

She said they needed people who could cook for residents, share a special skill such as art or carpentry, or anyone who was willing to spend quality time with the residents.

People who are willing to live at the home in order to oversee the running of it were also needed, Mrs. Armstrong added.

"I'm also looking forward to having the residents share responsibilities because it's a home to them,'' she said.

Mrs. Armstrong, who recently came up with a name for the home, said she too will be actively involved in organising activities such as table games and domino tournaments.

"It's not a medical facility, not another hospital, not another hospice,'' she stressed. "This will be a home. However, we will have a public health nurse coming in to assess them just as they would visit them at private residences.'' Mrs. Armstrong said the official opening of The Light House will only be a quiet event with neighbours, representatives from the Housing Corporation, and nurses who will visit the residents, attending.

And while stressing that residents want to maintain their privacy, Mrs.

Armstrong said she believes that people in general are becoming more "sensitised'' to AIDS.

And she said anyone interested in giving time or any of the items needed can contact STAR's office at 292-5941.