Talk to just about any charity on the Island and you'll hear the same story donations are down, the need for services is up. If you are thinking of forgoing your annual charity donation this holiday season, you should know that your help is desperately needed.Many charities would be happy with a small donation, or even your time as a volunteer for an hour.Here is the Christmas wish list of just a few. To learn more about how to help other local charities go to the non-profit list on the Centre on Philanthropy website, www.centreonphilanthropy.org/nonprofitdirectory.Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation: After nearly closing its doors this time last year, this arts charity was saved by kind donations from the public. While they are not out of the woods yet, they will go on, said founder Fiona Rodrigues-Roberts.“The small donations last year were very successful for us,” she said. “Twenty dollars from someone can help as it adds up.”They would like plastic containers and boxes with lids, tiles and any leftover grout and mortar for their mosaic classes. They also need 100 percent wool sweaters, socks and children's tights, wooden chairs and volunteers to help prep lessons with the teachers.Contact them: 542-9000, education@kaf.bm or www.kaf.bm.Women's Resource Centre: The women's empowerment charity provides counselling, advocacy and other services. This year, their greatest challenge has been funding.“With increased demands on our services and the challenge of trying to stay relevant in our ever changing society, we have had to evolve continuously to stay abreast of current needs,” said executive assistant and advocacy administrator Sherry Outerbridge.WRC are asking for funds to help them empower strong women, families and the community.Contact them: 295-3882, wrc@]wrcbermuda.com or www.wrcbermuda.com.Open Airways: Charity provides education and resources for people with asthma.“Demand for our services is up and donations are down, just like every other charity,” said Liz Boden, President and founder. “We are also looking for a volunteer to give a few hours each month to distribute our asthma posters, booklets, leaflets around the Island, to [King Edward VII Memorial], Department of Health, the schools, pharmacies, and prisons.”Contact them: 232-0264, lizboden@openairways.com or www.openairways.com.Centre Against Abuse: Offers safe shelter, support and tools to those involved in domestic abuse. They also have an education programme.“During the holidays, the financial challenges of meeting our needs and a family's needs are greater,” said Laurie Shiell, executive director. They are looking for Christmas gifts for their clients of all ages, including grocery, department store and movie gift certificates, jewellery and hair accessories, and toys and sports equipment. The centre itself is in need of donations to cover utilities and rent, printer cartridges, stationary, printers, office furniture and a vacuum cleaner.Contact them: 292-4366, info@centreagainstabuse.bm or www.abusefree.org.The Ocean Support Foundation: Focuses on battling the invasion of the lionfish that threatens Bermuda's native fish, reef system and economy. The explosion of their numbers throughout the Atlantic region has been called the worst disaster ever to hit our ocean.“Some of the challenges we have faced have included how to safely and effectively implement our strategies in the unpredictable ocean environment,” said founder Graham Maddocks.They need volunteers to help with fundraising efforts to purchase much needed equipment, renewable supplies, and boats large enough to handle diving and trapping expeditions.Contact them: 704-5406, osfmail@oceansupport.org or www.oceansupport.org.Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery: The gallery has been busy this year with art openings, special events and educational workshops. Despite the economic downturn they have still managed to maintain their annual bursary award to an art student studying abroad.“We are mindful of and thankful for the tremendous support of our members, whose numbers have increased this year, and of the time given by our dedicated volunteers,” said director Julie Hastings-Smith.They need a 42in flat-screen television for workshops and shows. They also need new lights, as their current track lighting system is gradually failing.Contact them: 292-3824, bsoa@ibl.bm or www.bsoa.bm.Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art: The group has had a challenging year.“Relying solely on donations from the public to keep the doors open, Masterworks worked hard throughout the year to maintain their standards of excellence in these difficult economic times,” said Julie Butler.Next year, 2012, marks the charity's 25th anniversary. Their biggest wish is to see lots of new members join and support the invaluable community work they do.Contact them: 236-2950, mworks@logic.bm or www.bermudamasterworks.com.Sandys 360: The sport, aquatic and community centre declined to request anything from the general public this Christmas.“We would like to thank everyone who has supported Sandys 360 in the past year,” said Melvin Bassett. “Our corporate, individual supporters and volunteers make it possible for us to reach a large section of the community with our many programmes. God bless you all.”Contact them: 234-6195 or sandys360.bm.Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda: The group is devoted to ending racism on the Island.“CURB's first Christmas wish would be to see legislative changes such as a black economic empowerment bill and/or a revitalised Workforce Equity Act enacted to help close the wealth gap,” said Lynne Winfield.They would also like the community's support for a new project coming up next year. Details will soon be released.Contact them: curb@northrock.bm or www.uprootingracism.org.PALS: The charity helps cancer patients and their families. “Our wish is always the same,” said Ann Smith Gordon, founder and President. “The wish is for the generous people of Bermuda to continue supporting us. It now costs PALS $100,000 a month to operate it scares me to even say it. Donations are down a little bit, but we have been very careful over the years. We are okay for the moment, but we have to keep at it. We constantly fundraise on our own behalf. Cancer is not going away.”Contact them: 236-7257, pals@northrock.bm or www.pals.bm.Bermuda Diabetes Association: The charity assists those suffering with diabetes, a disease that has reached worryingly high levels in Bermuda. The charity's aim is to be able to provide its services from one building, something they had hoped to realise this year after holding a telethon in 2010.“My wish list for the association is that we can own our own building one day,” said executive director Kuni Frith-Black. “My wish list for the community is that they will pay more attention to their health and become more health-conscious right now. The benefits outweigh the indulges.”Contact them: 297-8427, 292-7419 or 236-3668; bda@northrock.bm or www.bermudadiabetes.org.Chewstick Foundation: The charity promotes spoken word performance, writing and creativity.This year they would like 15 tickets to the Brave New Voices Conference and Competition, a 4WD van and jeep, three pop-up tents, Adobe Pro software, 25 cushioned, folding chairs, 25 by 30 carpeting, instruments, bass amp, printing, exterior paint, MarketPlace vouchers, money, volunteers, a vacuum cleaner and printer paper.Contact them: 292-2439, info@chewstick.com or www.chewstick.org.Bermuda Heart Foundation: The organisation provides community education about heart health and also conducts heart health screenings. They need a colour printer, copier, faxer, scanner preferably all in one unit, and one that doesn't gobble up ink. They also need a handyman, paint for their office, large capacity office furniture to accommodate clientele with a wide variety of body types, tiling for a small space and general office supplies.Contact them: 232-7812, info@bermudaheartfoundation.bm or www.mybermudaheart.bm.