If you can, add a charity to your Christmas shopping list this year. With fewer donations and fewer volunteers, many are in need of help. Give a little, give a lot, give as an individual, a family, a company team or a group of friends – every dollar will help benefit our community. For an idea of what’s on their wish lists, take a look below. And for charities that would like to be included, please send an e-mail: hwood@royalgazette.com

• Bermuda Diabetes Association

Our wish is to help as many people as possible have access to their essential medicines. Please stop by and buy a gift certificate from us. Denominations are $10, $20, $50 and $100. Certificates can be used at our full-service pharmacy where you can purchase any and all medication. Make a donation online, www.diabetes.bm/donation.html, or come to our retail store and purchase something for a loved one.

22 Princess Street, Hamilton. Contact: 297-8427; reception@diabetes.bm

• Bermuda Sloop Foundation (Spirit of Bermuda)

On board our floating classroom, Spirit of Bermuda, we provide character and educational development for Bermuda's youth using the unique attributes of structured experiential learning through sail training; learning by doing. The top three items on our wish list for this year are sails and a propulsion control device for the Spirit of Bermuda, and software development designed for on board ship management. Please go to our website, www.bermudasloop.org and navigate to the ‘Donate’ button.

12 Wesley Street, Hamilton. Contact: 737-5667; info@bermudasloop.org

• Bermuda SPCA

As a charity, we are experiencing the toughest time in our 100-year history – our donations are significantly down due to Covid-19 and it costs $1.3 million per year to keep the SPCA open. Please help us to maintain this valuable community service. We really need your help with operating costs. They aren’t glamorous, but they are essential to the welfare of our animals, community and staff. If you would like to donate to us please do so by direct transfer: Bermuda SPCA, Bank of Butterfield, 2000 60 600 55685100. From the bottom of our hearts, animal and human – thank you!

32 Valley Road, Paget. Contact: 236-7333; info@spca.bm

• Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute

Your donations help BUEI offer access to high quality ocean and environmental education to more students.

1. Teddy Tucker Scholarship Fund

BUEI’s popular Explorer Camps are an exciting way for children to dive in and develop a lifelong interest in ocean advocacy. In the spirit of one of our founders, The Teddy Tucker Marine Education Scholarship was created to encourage future generations of ocean explorers and divers by providing a weeklong programme for students eager to learn more about the ocean.

2. Transportation Fund

BUEI provides engaging, hands-on classes and educational tours for schools in order to uphold its mission “to advance the understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the ocean and to encourage the protection and preservation of the marine environment”, however transportation can be a barrier for schools that wish to participate. Donating to this fund will allow more students access to these education classes and tours.

If you would like to donate to these initiatives, please visit www.buei.bm/support-us/wishlist.

40 Crow Lane, Pembroke. Contact: 294-0201; membership@buei.bm

• The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS)

We are the support charity for Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ), and our shared mission is to inspire appreciation and care of island environments. With the support of its members, the BZS is committed to encouraging future generations to become stewards of the natural world.

Joining the BZS as a member or giving a donation will allow us to continue to provide more than 8,000 free educational experiences through our Stempel Foundation BZS Schools Programme in addition to popular community programmes for all ages, development of BAMZ exhibits and conservation and research programmes.

This holiday season stay connected, get engaged, and help us educate the students of Bermuda by becoming a member, donating and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

40 North Shore Road, Flatts Village. Contact: 293-2727; info@bzs.bm

• Centre Against Abuse

Our mission is to provide crisis support services to male and female adult victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault and to educate the community by providing building blocks for healthy relationships. This year we have particular need for cleaning products, laundry detergent and grocery vouchers.

38 Mount Hill, Pembroke. Contact: 292-4366; info@centreagainstabuse.bm

• Eliza DoLittle Society

Food insecurity is perhaps the most accepting of all the issues that we face as a community. It doesn't just impact people during the holidays. There's no better present than being able to help someone in need. There are several ways that you are able to donate. Our top three needed items are non-perishable food items, fresh fruits and vegetables and two laptops. To donate, please visit www.theelizadolittlesociety.bm/make-a-donat.

63 Middle Road, Warwick. Contact: 333-4483; teds.director@gmail.com

• Family Centre

Our mission is to strengthen families to create a healthier Bermuda for our children. We are in need of the following:

1. An arts and crafts supplies bundle for use during counselling child and family sessions, counselling groups, therapeutic camps, and Youth Leadership Academy activities with youth and families:

a) Crayola washable markers

b) Dry-erase markers

c) Sharpie markers

d) Pencil crayons

e) Pens

f) Arts and craft project supplies

g) Paints and brushes

h) Project poster boards

i) Stationery supplies for adolescents (glue sticks, Elmer’s glue, regular scissors, rulers)

j) Journals

2. A therapeutic play activities bundle for use with children and youths participating in counselling services and Youth Leadership Academy activities:

a) Dress up supplies

b) Foldable multi-game table (tennis table, air hockey)

c) Football

d) Portable football nets

e) Skipping ropes

f) Board games for children between the ages of 4 and 18

g) Racially and ethnically diverse dolls and Barbies

h) Outdoor canopy tents for shade in the garden

3. A sensory supplies bundle for use with children who are in counselling services and have sensory challenges:

a) Play-Doh

b) Putty

c) Sensory toys

d) Bean bags that can be wiped down

Sunshine League House, 27 King Street, Pembroke. Contact: 232-1116; info@tfc.bm

• Habitat for Humanity, Bermuda

Our mission is to assist those living in derelict conditions to make home improvements that will ensure every Bermudian may live in a safe, secure and healthy home.

Please consider sponsoring/donating:

a) A van or small truck, so we can pick up and deliver items for our Habitat ReStore

b) New double beds for our Transformational Living Centre

c) New kitchen appliances for our Transformational Living Centre

Sofia House, 48 Church Street, Hamilton. Contact: 296-0256; habitat.bermuda@gmail.com

• Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda

Our hope is that you support our three businesses. By supporting them you are benefiting the community at large as we utilise funds raised to purchase medical equipment for the hospitals. Come out and enjoy a good meal at Pink Café, purchase a unique item in the Gift Shop and of course, we all know there are absolutely wonderful “treasures” to be found at The Barn. Our operating hours are:

a) Pink Café: serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday between 9am and 3.30pm

b) The Gift Shop: Monday through Friday, 9am to 3.30pm

c) The Barn: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Donations take place on the same days, between 9am and 11am.

Ground floor, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital; 53 Devon Spring Road, Devonshire. Contact: 236-2488; 236-3155

• Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB)

Our mission is to engage individuals to take greater responsibility in reducing waste and eliminating litter through action and education. Please take the time to go to www.kbb.bm/wishlist.html to see the full schedule of items that could help our organisation however our top three that we could sincerely benefit from would be a laptop or Chromebook; two desk chairs and a small van.

10 Princess Street, Hamilton. Contact: 295-5142; office@kbb.bm

• The National Museum of Bermuda

For nearly fifty years, NMB has welcomed international researchers, tourists and community members. Most years, over 75,000 visitors explore our exhibits and enjoy our wide, open green spaces. Interns delve into projects before pursuing higher degrees. International researchers conduct field research in Bermuda’s still undiscovered corners and blue waters. And each year, a small and dedicated staff works with international colleagues and local leaders to conserve, protect and share the complex and rich histories of our small, influential Island. These activities all support our belief that education is a key determinant of Bermuda’s capacity to effectively navigate beyond 2020. As it does elsewhere, education drives opportunity. We are creating a pipeline of programmes and resources that support learning from pre-school to post-doctorate. To do this work, our education and curatorial teams are partnering with government, local educators and overseas universities so that our programmes and exhibits share contemporary information and accurately express Bermuda’s social history and ties with the greater Atlantic World. We need support to continue and accelerate our important work. Please give generously this holiday season.

1 The Keep, Sandys. Contact: 234-1333; advancement@nmb.bm

• Raleigh Bermuda

Your donation will help us to work towards reaching more young Bermudians ages 14 to 25, and increase our outreach to those who are at risk of not reaching their full potential. We work to effectively help them manage and overcome the ‘day-to-day’ risks they face eg drugs, alcohol, abuse, negative peer pressure, gangs, crimes etc.

Due to Covid-19, the demand for more programming for our young people has become more apparent as we saw an increase in violence during and after Bermuda’s lockdown period. The demand for food has also become a need for our 170+ alumni. Please consider donating today to our education programmes, alumni relief programme and to support "Malcolm's Room", our community safe space for young people.

2nd floor, 2 Midsea Lane, Hamilton. Contact: 333-5678; info@raleigh.bm

• Scars

Our mission is to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse and to be an advocate and voice for children who have been sexually molested as well as their affected family. This year we would love for every adult in Bermuda to obtain Scars certification – at no cost to them. Read more here: www.scarsbermuda.com/get-educated/training/.

We would also love it if every youth serving organisation required their staff and volunteers to obtain Scars certification, implemented a best practice code of conduct and conducted background checks. If you would like to make a donation to help us achieve our visions, go here: www.scarsbermuda.com/donateonline/.

Contact: 297-2277; info@scars.bm

• Special Olympics Bermuda

Through sport, Special Olympics Bermuda seeks to achieve a community were everyone feels included and valued. The athletes are involved in weekly training in their individual sports and annual overseas competitions. A major accomplishment of this training will be seeing our confident and well-rounded athletes qualifying for the 2023 World Summer Games to be held in Germany. We also advocate on their behalf and help in their personal development. This segment of our society often gets over looked and we would appreciate some Christmas love donations this season. On our list is the following:

1. Light van for transporting athletes

2. Track and swim uniforms

3. Sponsorship for our swim or bowling programme

4. Volunteers to help with transportation

5. Volunteer coaches

Please make a donation via our HSBC account: (Special Olympics Bermuda) 006-024277–001.

Contact: 519-8712; bermudaspecialolympics@gmail.com

• Tomorrow’s Voices

Our mission is to bring positive change to the lives of people with autism, pervasive developmental disorders and other developmental delays through research-based best educational practices

This year we are hoping for donations to assist with the purchasing of toys – look for the ‘donate’ button on our website, www.tomorrowsvoices.bm. Specifically, we are in need of a disability tricycle, a ninja warrior obstacle course and a basketball hoop stand set with ball.

4 Happy Valley Road, Pembroke. Contact: 297-4342; info@tomorrowsvoices.bm

• WindReach

We offer a variety of therapeutic and educational experiences for people with varying physical and intellectual abilities. We have on average 200 participants benefiting from our programmes on a weekly basis. Participants range in age from preschoolers through to our seniors community. You can find our Christmas wish list at our website: windreachbermuda.org/donate

57 Spice Hill Road, Warwick. Contact: 238-2469; windreach@windreach.bm

• Word of Life Bermuda

We are a local charity serving and training leaders from a number of churches across our nation to have effective and dynamic local church youth ministries. This year we are in need of a cash Register for our thrift store, a sound system for youth events and stationery for our office.

16 Harvey Road, Paget. Contact: 232-9673; gail@wolbermuda.org