STAR DIRECTOR -- Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong who shares her home with HIV-positive people.

Christmas is a time when no one should be alone, especially children.

But with more than 200 children affected by AIDS and 128 left orphans as a result of the loss of one or more parents to the deadly disease, it could be a reality in Bermuda.

Realising this, some 80 staff at the Bank of N.T. Butterfield have joined together to sponsor a Christmas party on December 18 for children who have lost a parent to AIDS or who have parents living with the deadly disease.

Some 50 children, aged one to 17 years, are expected to turn out at the event which is scheduled to be held at The Lighthouse -- a private home where HIV-positive people can live independently.

The party marks the first time children in such a predicament will be together and in a festive mood.

And STAR director Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong, who shares her home with HIV-positive people, said perhaps it can be the beginning of many other community activities for children affected by AIDS.

"Maybe we will be able to build on the bonding'' she said, adding that STAR has held summer activities at the beach for children on a smaller scale.

The bank's staff, who chose to spend money on a charity rather than exchange Christmas gifts, will provide the food, gifts, decorations, and even Santa Claus.

"They were going to have it at the bank,'' Mrs. Armstrong said, "but our place is more private and there's plenty of room for the kids to run around and have a ball.'' Grateful for all the support that both STAR and The Lighthouse have received so far, Mrs. Armstrong also acknowledged the support of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe which is now looking after the needs of six families affected by AIDS.

The families will receive food, clothing, and fully-decorated Christmas trees from the largest law firm on the Island. AS&K also provided for five families last year.

STAR has also been the recipient of community support and generous donations, Mrs. Armstrong said.

Noting that The Lighthouse -- which has been in operation for more than a year -- was mainly furnished by generous donors, Mrs. Armstrong said: "There are so many to thank.

"All the living room and bedroom furniture and all the major appliances were donated by various places. We've been give a washer, two dryers, a dishwasher, and stove.'' Mrs. Armstrong said Bermuda Thermax was also presenting The Lighthouse with an entire air-freshening and purifying system today.

"Lots of individuals also help out,'' she said. "The US Base and Salvation Army are very supportive and we get food hampers from the Lioness clubs.'' STAR office coordinator Mrs. Ruth Skinner recalled that last year people, particularly those from the Jewish community, voluntarily brought in food donations to help fill Christmas hampers.

Every year STAR makes up the baskets at Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Church Street.

And Mrs. Skinner said while there are enough hands to fill the hampers, STAR can use more people to help the deliver the hampers to families throughout the Island on December 22. Those considering donating turkeys or hams should bring them to the hall on that date.

But they said STAR is in need of drapes, huge area rugs that are machine washable, material to cover couches, living room drapes, a towel rack, regular drinking glasses, table cloths, lawn furniture, and a typewriter for The Lighthouse.

Mrs. Armstrong stressed that STAR could also use at least 10 more volunteers, particularly males to be role models for boys who have lost their fathers to AIDS.

She explained that volunteer care givers often needed a break for healing after a PWA or person with AIDS died.

"Healing must take place,'' Mrs. Armstrong said. "And we advise them to take time off and reassess their ability to go back.'' While there are "lots of people silently working with people with AIDS'', she said STAR needs more people who can help PWAs cope with day-to-day living.

"There are some folk out there who are very lonely,'' Mrs. Armstrong said.

"This is a 365-day disease and we're not just talking about this affecting a person physically. It affects the whole man -- emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

"These people need moral support. And we welcome nurses, social workers, or any lay people who can hold fast to confidentiality and who can dedicate some of their time.'' Noting that The Lighthouse has three cooks, not including herself, Mrs.

Armstrong said STAR would welcome those who can volunteer a day or even hours.

"But,'' she quickly added, "this has to come from the heart. We're all workers together. There's no ego stroking here.'' For further information about donations or volunteering for STAR contact the office on 292-5941 or The Lighthouse on 293-4967 during evenings.