@$:[AT]bylinefrank:By Tricia Walters[AT]bodyfrank:Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our 400 years of cultural and natural heritage are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. And St. George is one such living treasure a legacy for generations to come, just waiting to be discovered.Achieving World Heritage status from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in December 2000, the town and its related fortifications joined a list of some 890 properties making up our world's heritage. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America.World Heritage sites, like St. George's, belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located and encourage the protection of our natural and cultural heritage. But it comes at a cost.In 1995 a group of St. Georgians began a broad-based strategic planning process to determine the future direction of St. George's. The outcome was The St. George's Town Heritage Plan "Bringing History to Life" an ambitious and exciting vision for the future of the town which focused, not merely on restoring and preserving the unique history and heritage of St. George's, but on creating a dynamic and inspired focus for the future which included not only World Heritage Status, but also the development of the World Heritage Centre.The St. George's Foundation is the catalyst for turning this vision into reality by raising the necessary funding, and to encourage and facilitate the implementation of all aspects of the Heritage Plan. One way they achieve this is through individual and corporate memberships.St. George's Foundation Executive Director Sharon Jacobs explains that only through receiving donations and annual membership subscriptions can they achieve the funding necessary to be successful. There are two ongoing campaigns the Membership Campaign and the Capital Campaign. Mrs. Jacobs explains that the purpose of the Capital Campaign is to raise funding for The St. George's Foundation's goals of restoring the World Heritage Centre, "bricking the streets" and raising funds for the future restoration of derelict buildings, and the development of the waterfront.The Capital Campaign was launched in November 2002, but fund-raising had been underway since the Foundation and the Capital Campaign committee's formation in 1998. "So far we have raised about $9.6-million of the $20-million programme based on the Heritage Plan," Mrs. Jacobs adds.*p(0,12,0,10.51,0,0,g)When it comes to "bricking the streets", The St. George's Foundation coordinates with the Corporation of St. George's. And while The St. George's Foundation raises the necessary funds, The Corporation of St. George provides the labour, or it's put out to bid. So far twelve streets have been bricked, with Church Lane and Broad Alley being the most recent. However, the current economic situation does pose a challenge to fund-raising efforts: "We have had some very good support from our corporate donors, the Government and individuals leading up to 2008. What we're facing now in 2009 and going forward is the downturn in the economy and the fact that corporations and donors are reassessing their corporate giving. Many are making decisions to give to the social needs and that's fabulous, we endorse and support that, but it does present a tremendous challenge to those in heritage, history and education because these are important fund-raising projects for our youth, but they are not an immediate social need."Mrs. Jacobs elaborates that their fund-raising is currently geared towards operational costs, which are quite high: "We are so grateful to all of our donors who have given us the funds to improve, and to bring this fabulous building to life, now we need to enlist public and donor backing to find a way to continue to support operational dollars."Membership Director and Events Coordinator, Barbara Maguire adds that membership is the "lifeline" of The St. George's Foundation as the Membership Campaign provides operating funds for The Foundation.But here too there is a challenge: "It's more difficult to find both individual and corporate membership in this economic climate, so we have less members today than we had a couple of years ago. Funds, which in the past were directed to membership, are now being directed to social needs. "It's very important for our children to be provided information about Bermuda's early days and that's the importance of The World Heritage Centre," she points out. "Vandals have written on walls in St. George's and St. Peter's Churchyard has been vandalised recently. It's our belief that if people were aware of and understood the importance of St. George's, these acts would not happen. Our World Heritage Site, the Town of St. George's and its Related Fortifications deserve great respect and respect is gained through knowledge." To become a member you can call Mrs. Maguire at The St. George's Foundation at 297-3686, or go online to www.stgeorgesfoundation.org, chose the link for membership. There are several membership categories to choose from. Membership benefits include free entrance to the World Heritage Centre & the IDeliverance$, free entrance to Ft. St. Catherine, invitations to special Member Events, and 10 percent discount off merchandise at the World Heritage Centre and the IDeliverance$.