DO you have $24,590 to spare for a good cause this Christmas? What about a plant, colour printer, lawn mower or bus tickets? These are just some of the items the Sunshine League Children's Home has on its "house wish list" for the festive season.

Executive Director, Denise Carey said the home on King Street desperately needs new windows which have been leaking since suffering damage in recent storms. But with a price tag of $24,590 and no maintenance budget to speak of, she is depending on the generosity of local businesses and volunteers.

The leaking roof also did not help matters when water damage to the kitchen cabinets caused them to rot and these also need to be replaced — at a whopping $25,000.

The house, which has been a place of safety for hundreds of children since 1919, was last renovated 14 years ago.

Over the years volunteers have kept the outside painted and patched up, but in an effort to keep things from falling apart inside, Ms Carey launched an "adopt a room" programme.

Several large companies, including the Bank of Butterfield, "adopted" rooms and volunteers gave their time on weekends to paint, refurnish and help brighten the building, which is currently home to ten children.

The upstairs girls bathroom is due to be painted and spruced up this weekend.

"The girls were also each given brand new pyjamas, so we're going to have a pyjama party downstairs while volunteers work upstairs," Ms Carey added.

While many of the children spend weekends with extended families, a few will be spending this Christmas at the home.

Ms Carey said each child had given her a wish list and she was appealing to the public to help her put some of these toys under the Christmas tree. As for the house wish list, some of the items the home needs include:

[obox]School work books for grades four and up

[obox]Gas vouchers from Union Gas — Esso

[obox]Dinner vouchers

[obox]Four wall alarm clocks

[obox]Parking vouchers

[obox]Bus tickets

[obox]Stamps

[obox]Irons and ironing boards

[obox]Plastic hangers

[obox]Mops (heavy duty) and mop heads

[obox]Brooms (heavy duty)

[obox]Dust pans/brushes

[obox]Buckets with wringer attached

[obox]Table clothes

[obox]Plastic placements (no ridges)

[obox]Large indoor plants

[obox]Detachable sink hose (for washing hair)

[obox]Hair braiding gift certificates for girls

[obox]Labeller

[obox]Six closet organisers

[obox]'No trespassing' and 'no parking' signs

[obox]Colour printers

[obox]Laminating machines

[obox]Portable table

[obox]Four dehumidifiers

[obox]Four pop tents

[obox]Intercom system

[obox]Two lawn mowers

[obox]Heavy duty lawn furniture

[obox]Colour photocopier

[obox]LCD projector

[obox]One storage shed

[obox]60 window replacements

[obox]Removal and installation of kitchen cabinets

Ms Carey added that they were always in need of volunteers to help with tree pruning and lawn grooming.

For more information, or to make a donation, please contact the Sunshine League Children's Home at 292-4360

Children's home seeks some Christmas Sunshine!