Although Christmas is nine months away the Bermuda Junior Service League has already begun the task of sorting through artwork, from various local artists, for this year's Christmas card project.

The organisation, which is made up of a group of women committed to providing volunteer service to the community, raised $25,000 through the sale of these cards during Christmas 1997 and as usual, the funds will be dispersed amongst selected local charities.

The League's Christmas card project is a major source of revenue. Early in the year the committee requests submissions of artwork from the artists. Four to five works are selected for production.

President of the organisation, Gayle Gorman, said the Christmas card funds from Christmas 1996 were "specifically earmarked to support the Bermuda Debate Society and the World Debate Championships.

"This year, the funds will be combined with other funds raised and distributed to a number of different local charities.

"The charities chosen are selected by the membership. Requests for different causes are submitted in writing to the League and are reviewed and researched by a finance committee. Recommendations are then made to the membership for voting,'' Mrs. Gorman said.

But, this is only one avenue in which the Bermuda Junior Service League raises money.

Mrs. Gorman said the group, which also provides a forum for social activities, also raises money through activities like consignment sales and tag days.

"For over 60 years, the Bermuda Junior Service League has been providing fundraising and community service hours to support the charities of Bermuda,'' she said.

Mrs. Gorman added: "The league, which follows the slogan `Women in Actions' typically contributes over 3,000 hours to community service and fundraising projects. A commitment of membership is the requirement to spend at least 50 hours per year on League projects.

"The League is open to women between the ages of 18 to 45 who are interested in joining with other women to further the spirit of volunteerism in the Bermuda community.'' The women of the league have compiled a Bermudian cookbook which was a bestseller. It was first published in 1974.

It is considered one of Bermuda's foremost cookbooks and is an ongoing revenue for the League. A committee has been formed to generate ideas for the publication of a new cookbook.

During the year, like most organisations, League members are called upon to bake or provide items for sale.

One of the League's most popular and successful fundraiser's is the consignment sale which is usually held in March. It is organised by two to three chairman and runs for four days.

The League also organises activities with both King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and St. Brendan's providing gifts and goodies for patients.

Another activity organised by the League, which is aimed at school students is the secondary schools debate tournament. This event takes close to 400 League hours to make it successful.

Ten to fifteen years from now Mrs. Gorman said she sees the League continuing to be comprised of all women.

"We have a combination of women who work outside the home, women who work at home with children, Bermudians and non-Bermudians.

"As the composition of the League membership changes, I expect that the nature of some of our projects will change since all of what we do is a combination of member interest and community needs,'' Mrs. Gorman said.

She added: "However, the commitment to volunteerism and support of the Bermuda community will continue to be the foundation for the League's activities.'' Membership information is available from Sue Sharp at 238-0041 (evenings) and president Gayle Gorman at 293-2280.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN -- `Women in Action' is one of the slogans selected by Bermuda Junior Service League members to describe what being a League member is all about. Pictured is president of the league Gayle Gorman (right) and public relations officer Maria McLeod Smith.