This is a very special letter, and we hope you'll take time to read it carefully because its contents are important to so many. Certainly, it is very different from the usual letters you receive at this time of year because we don't want the usual things like computer games, fire trucks, dolls and puppies.

You are probably wondering who we are, so we'll introduce ourselves without delay.

We are the people who brighten lives, human and animal, and in some cases we actually save them. We are men and women, Bermudian and non-Bermudian, young and not so young, black and white, and of all faiths and creeds.

We are children's and senior citizens' organisations, and the ones who work with the disadvantaged. We give succour to the orphaned, comfort to the sick, cheer to the lonely, help to the physically abused, and shelter to the battered and abandoned.

We operate the blood bank and the animal refuge, deliver meals to shut-ins, and comfort the dying.

In short, we are the helping hands of Bermuda.

All year long we do our good deeds to the best of our ability, but it is not always easy because our needs are greater than our resources. Like everyone else, when Christmas comes around we have our special wishes, and we hope that you can make them come true.

We know the list seems long, but we're sure you'll understand. Please take time to read it carefully. As you can imagine, in these difficult financial times those requiring our assistance are growing in number, so we need more help than ever.

If you cannot bring us everything, we would be thrilled to receive something, because help of any kind really makes a difference to the lives we touch throughout the year.

Thank you, dear Santa, and may all your Christmases be as bright as we try to make the lives of others.

* * * Agape House: Donations would be welcome towards any of the following: New beds; a quiet sanctuary, to be built within the grounds; the salaries of the Friends of Hospice volunteers' co-ordinator and the Agape House cook.

Please make cheques payable to Friends of Hospice, indicate which project you wish to support, and mail c/o Agape House, 7 Point Finger Road, Paget DV04.

* * * Bermuda Red Cross Blood Bank: We need more donors and nurses. Please assure donors giving blood doesn't hurt at all because we use a local anaesthetic to remove any discomfort. Just 30 minutes is all it takes for someone to give blood, including signing in and enjoying refreshments afterwards, while the blood can mean the difference between life and death for recipients. Please call 236-5067 or 236-2345 to make your appointment.

* * * Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau (BFAB): We need money and volunteers -- money to help finance the spaying and neutering of wild cats, and volunteers to help to feed and trap cats, and transport them to and from the veterinarian's.

Donations of cat food are also welcome since members are currently financing this themselves. If you can help or require further information, please call 291-1737 (Voice Mail). Cheques should be made payable to: Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau, and mailed to PO Box WK373, Warwick WKBX.

* * * Bermuda National Trust: As custodians of many properties, you will understand our needs are many. Here is a short list: A good, working refrigerator for Waterville because we host receptions and tea parties for visitors and tour groups. A couple of office chairs for our staff's aching backs. Some centrally located storage space to hold items for the Trust auction next February (our major fund-raiser!). An "angel'' for Springfield, which is in serious need of attention, tender, loving care and money. An endowment fund so that each year of operation becomes less of a financial struggle. $400,000 to complete our capital fund-raising campaign.

Spirited volunteers to help us in many ways. A volunteer with computer skills to help us improve our data base. New members.

* * * Bermuda Society for the Blind: We need volunteers to help sell our hand-made goods. With more volunteers we could expand our selling points -- at supermarkets, for example. Please Mrs. Jean Gallagher at Beacon House (tel.

292-3231) to offer your services. Of course, we always need financial help.

Cheques should be made payable to the Bermuda Society for the Blind and mailed to 3 Dundonald Street, Hamilton HM12.

* * * Brangman Home: We have many needs, as you can see. To receive any of them would be a blessing. Please choose from: a toaster oven; twin size bed linen; blankets; a case of Dark 'n' Lovely No Lye Perm kits; game kits, such as volleyball and badminton; ladies' bikini briefs, sizes 6 to 10; slippers, sizes 6 to 10; nightgowns (small, medium and large). Please make our residents happy by telephoning Mr. Gilbert Darrell (telephone 292-3699).

* * * Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children: We are absolutely desperate for a desk calculator with a tape. We also need volunteers for the Bargain Box, our thrift shop on Serpentine Road. It is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and whatever time you can give to help us would be terrific. Please leave the good news at 292-4324.

* * * Fair Havens: We would be very happy to receive the following: electric room heaters; a deep freeze; pots and pans; casserole dishes and baking pans; a dinner service for about 14 people. Make Director Mrs. Gloria Mills' day by telephoning 295-2319.

* * * Hope Homes: If our list seems ambitious, pardon our progress! You see, our programme is so successful that we're having to expand.

Charities appeal to Santa to help them keep helping others From Page 49 First, we are building a multi-purpose hall for which we need the following items: a chair lift; six ceiling lights; two ceiling fans; six vertical blinds (Mrs. Douglas has size details); washable, non-slip floor tiles.

To accommodate our growing client list, we also need a second home. If you have a dwelling to donate, or will rent to us on a long lease, please call Mrs. Douglas right away.

In addition, we need dedicated volunteers to help with activities involving our residents, and also to assist in our thrift shop. Whether you have a talent to share or just time to donate, Mrs. Ellen Douglas is standing by the phone (the number is 292-7206).

Most of all, we ask you to pray for our continued success.

* * * KEMH Extended Care Unit: For the male patients ties and socks (sizes medium to extra large) are needed. We would also appreciate video films, old LP records, and cassette tapes (jazz, spirituals, easy listening, classical music preferred). Your gifts will be music to the ears of Ms Debbie Byrd (telephone 236-2345 ext. 1476).

* * * Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association : We would be thrilled to receive donations for our Christmas appeal, which we will use to assist the elderly and certain special and deserving clients. Please make your cheques payable to the LCCA, and mail them to P.O. Box HM64, Hamilton HMAX.

In addition, our office would be very grateful to receive a mini microwave and a small refrigerator. If you can help, please let Mrs. Betty Peterson know at 292-1132.

* * * Lefroy House: Our wish is for lots of volunteers to join the newly-formed Friends of Lefroy House Association in 1995. They can be relatives and friends of our residents, or anyone else who is interested in working with the elderly.

Activities in which volunteers can become involved include driving, reading, accompanying residents on community outings, and sharing a talent.

Lefroy House also offers its volunteers education on age-related topics.

If you can help us, or wish further information, please contact Mrs. Myra Bristol, chairperson of LFHA, at 234-0255.

* * * Meals on Wheels: We urgently need a new donor or donors to provide the disposable dishes in which we dispatch meals. Due to reduced membership, our previous donors have been forced to withdrawn their support. Please telephone 236-1815 and leave a message.

* * * Patients' Assistance League & Service (PALS): Our wish is for some book shelves and a four-drawer filing cabinet with lock. Please be good and call us at 292-3875.

* * * Packwood Home: A van to transport our residents is top of our list. A wheelchair is next. Our laundry staff need a simple sewing machine to repair linen and clothing. Our office needs a photocopier, and our medical staff a Polaroid camera. A small table for the foyer would be useful. To entertain our dear residents, a VCR and a CD or tape player would be a boon. Gardening tools would certainly be welcome. Administrator Mrs. Cecille Snaith-Simmons would be delighted to hear of your gift, so please telephone 234-1459.

* * * Physical Abuse Centre: We have moved into a new office in the Recorder Building at 63 Court Street, and need: four waste paper baskets, a case of bath soap, typewriter paper (quarto size), and a television and VCR for instructional purposes at our meetings.

For the Abuse Centre, we would appreciate a room heater and vacuum cleaner.

All kinds of toiletries -- shampoo, hand lotion, toothpaste, for example -- are always needed. The same goes for tinned goods such as corned beef, tuna, baked beans, fruit, and evaporated milk. For the bathrooms we need hand towels and toilet tissue. If you can help, please telephone 292-4366. We will be glad to collect your gift(s) if you cannot drop them off at our office.

* * * Riding for the Disabled: We're hoping to build new mounting block and ramp next year, so we'll need money for that. Eventually, we want to have our own centre so we will be purchasing horses and new equipment. All donations will be thankfully received. Cheques should be made payable to: Bermuda Riding for the Disabled Association, and sent to P.O. Box SN132, Southampton SNBX.

* * * Senior Islanders' Club: We would be tickled if you'd bring us even one of the following: a vacuum cleaner, a television set, a portable radio. Mr. Fred Hassell is standing by at 295-9094.

* * * Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA): We are desperate for towels and blankets to keep our puppies and kittens warm. They don't have to be new, of course, just clean. Pet food and animals toys are always needed, and of course we wish for homes for all our animals. Please bring your donations to our Valley Road Shelter, Paget any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Monday to Saturday.

* * * S.T.A.R.: Our Light House residence really needs: an electric skillet, an electric tea kettle, a set of pots, a deep fryer with basket, and a set of dishes for 12 people. Plastic storage containers with lids (for such things as leftovers) would also be useful. Mrs. Ruth Skinner (telephone 292-5941) looks forward to your call.

* * * Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association: As you can imagine, patients coming in for mammographies are often anxious and nervous. Television helps them to relax -- and keep up with their favourite game shows and soaps! -- but our present set is dead. Could we please have another? It shouldn't be very large (a 12-inch screen would be fine) nor does it have to be fancy. Of course colour would be nice but we'd happily settle for black and white. Please call 295-7738 if you can put Mrs. Harrington in the picture.

* * * Westmeath: We need volunteers to drive our residents to the doctor, dentist, and hospital. Two large table lamps for our sitting room would be lovely, as would some blank VCR tapes so that we can record movies for residents. For our garden, we need fertiliser (horse manure would be wonderful), as well as flower and/or vegetable seedlings. Please call Matron Mrs. Jenny Gibson at 295-2451 with news of your gift(s).

* * * Women's Resource Centre: To help us with our educational projects and the training of our community educator, we need an overhead projector, and a flip chart and flip chart holder. We also need book cases or shelving for our library. An answering machine to help us field calls outside office hours would be ever so helpful. Please let us hear from you at 295-3882 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.