Each year at Thanksgiving time, while others' thoughts are turning to turkey with all the trimmings, community activist Gina Spence's thoughts focus on helping Bermuda's children.

Since 1998 her organisation, Gina Spence Productions in Christ, has joined forces with the Bermuda Broadcasting Company to host a fund-raising telethon.

"The first year we raised $70,000 to assist two children with cancer, and last year we raised between $55,000 and $60,000 to assist with the educational fees of young people who had lost one or both parents and were studying abroad,'' Ms Spence recalls.

With successes like these, it was obvious that not only should the telethons carry on, but also they should continue to benefit children. In keeping with her policy of choosing different beneficiaries each year, Ms Spence was wondering who to select for 2000 when she read a newspaper article on the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda (BBBSB) organisation. She knew she had found the answer.

"Gina Spence Productions in Christ was searching for a well-established and respected organisation which works with children, and when the article on the BBBSB came out, we thought it was a great fit for this particular venture, so we met with their representatives and that was it,'' she explains.

For its part, BBBSB could not be happier.

"We are absolutely thrilled and excited to have been chosen,'' board member Lisa Webb says. "As an organisation in the non-profit world, fund-raising is a key ingredient to keep us running, so when we were contacted by Gina and the Bermuda Broadcasting Company we were very happy to partner with them to help our children.'' Explaining that the registered charity is committed to the on-going development of the Island's children and youth, Ms Webb explains: "That comes in many ways, and includes emotional, social and academic development, particularly of children in our programme who are in need of adult role models and mentors.

"We really look to support these children, who come primarily from single parent homes. It is difficult to be a parent in an ideal world, let alone as a single parent. Our aim is to provide support to the family, and to those children.'' Specifically, the plan is for Gina Spence Productions in Christ to turn over the proceeds of the November 22 telethon to BBBSB, which will then set up and administer a scholarship fund for children.

"The whole idea of the scholarship is that there are lots of children who otherwise would not be eligible for such awards because they have not reached a certain grade,'' Ms Spence explains. "By working with BBBSB, that organisation can identify and support making a scholarship a reality for a particular child from the outset, so from age six a child is nurtured to know that there is an opportunity with the BBBSB (later on).'' Just as having a scholarship fund is a first for the BBBSB, so too was it for Gina Spence Productions last year.

"Last year was the first time we set up a scholarship fund locally or internationally, and this is the first time we have worked with an agency,'' Ms Spence explains.

It is her belief -- and hope -- that once word of the scholarship fund is out, others will follow the lead of those who make pledges during the telethon and support it financially.

Ms Spence stresses that this year's telethon is a three-way collaboration between her organisation, BBBSB and the Bermuda Broadcasting Company.

"Gina Spence Productions is the registered charity, Bermuda Broadcasting Company is the producer, and BBBSB is the beneficiary,'' she explains.

Ms Spence notes that working together as a team is proving to be a great experience, as well as "a lot of fun''.

"We have pooled our resources, and on the night we will have many volunteers helping us, which I think is a good way of showing community spirit,'' she offers.

Telethon to help Big Brothers and Big Sisters Continued frm Page 25 The telethon will be co-hosted by Bermuda Broadcasting Company general manager Rick Richardson, and broadcast live on TV channel 7 (ZFB) beginning at 8 p.m.

Throughout the show volunteers will assist with manning the phones and recording the pledges, and children who won last year's and this year's BBBSB essay contests will read out their entries.

Meanwhile, at the nearby National Stadium well-known runners Kavin Smith and Jamel Hart will organise a race in which the captains of industry and commerce, including Rick Richardson, will participate, as well as, it is hoped, school principals, community leaders and pastors.

"Kavin is a Big Brother, and he is very dedicated to the cause, so for him to run with others and them to share the experience with him will make it really special,'' Ms Spence observes.

Action at the National Stadium will be incorporated into the live broadcast, and officials from BBBSB will also be in the studio to explain the work of the organisation and, of course, appeal for adult males in particular to become Big Brothers.

"We need male role models to spend just three hours a week with the approximately 50 Little Brothers on our waiting list,'' BBBSB's case worker Clifftina Stevens explains, "so during the telethon we will have sign-up sheets available.'' Potential Big Brothers are first screened and then matched with a Little Brother. How the pair spend the time together each week is up to them. It can be something as simple as going for a walk or to a movie, or playing games.

Meanwhile, Ms Spence is urging all of Bermuda to tune in on November 22 and pledge their financial support.

"No pledge is too big or too small, every dollar makes a difference,'' she assures.

For further information telephone 295-2828.