Betty Howes has been tagging with the Island's oldest charity since she was aged seven and more than 75 years later she shows no signs of slowing down.

"Doing this is very rewarding. I feel privileged to be allowed to do it. I don't know what I can say special about The Sunshine League, it is part of my life," said 83-year-old Mrs. Howes.

The Royal Gazette is highlighting her efforts as part of our 'Dare to Care' campaign, which looks to encourage everyone to use as little or as much time as they can to make a positive difference in the community.

Since the early days of tagging in the 1930s when people went collecting door-to-door, Mrs. Howes believes the process has become more organised.

As the tagging coordinator for The Sunshine League, which is in its 90th year, she is currently responsible for organising the volunteers at each station and making sure the area is yielding a good cash result.

This year more than ever she saw the fruits of that hard labour with the community donating more than $27,000 for the children's home.

"We did manage to break all previous records this year. People look kindly to children and people always give. I have been working with this coordinating for, I think, about 24 years," she added.

It was almost a rite of passage for Mrs. Howes to get involved with The Sunshine League. Not only was her mother involved with the children's home, her grandmother was also one of the founding members of the Paget Warwick branch.

The family legacy has continued Mrs. Howes' daughter now helps her with the computer work for the organisation and her son helps out at home with home cooking in the busy weeks leading up to the tag day.

It is no easy task coordinating the annual tag day for the charity. Preparation starts months in advance, when Mrs. Howes sends out letters asking for permission from Police, the Corporation of Hamilton and various banks and grocery stores to see if the organisation can tag on their premises.

But she does so without complaint, thinking about the children and the "loving" staff that keep The Sunshine League running day in and day out.

According to Executive Director Denise Carey, the veteran volunteer is a large part of the charity. Ms Carey said: "It's wonderful for me coming into Sunshine League and being here only four years and knowing what a long history The Sunshine League has had in the community.

"And Mrs. Howes has had a large role in that, to make sure the legacy of our founder Agnes Robinson has continued," she added.

l To learn more about the charity go to www.thesunshineleague.bm

If you or anyone you know is doing something to show they care about the community, let us know by e-mailing nadiaroyalgazette.bm