Dear Santa,

This is a very special letter, and we hope you will take time to read it carefully because its wishes are important to so many. Certainly, it is very different to the usual letters you receive at this time of the year, because we don't want bicycles, kittens dolls or football boots. Rather, we are the charities who brighten human and animal lives, and in some cases we actually save them. We are men and women, Bermudian and non-Bermudian, of all ages, races and creeds, and from all walks of life.

We are children's and senior citizens' organisations, and the ones who work with the disadvantaged. We give support to the orphaned, comfort to the sick and dying, cheer to the lonely, help to the physically abused, and shelter to the homeless and disadvantaged. We also work with animals, giving them food, treatment and new homes.

In short, we are the helping hands of Bermuda, and we love what we do throughout the year. Despite willing hearts, however, our work is not always easy because our needs are greater than our resources. Like everyone else, when Christmas comes around we hope that the season of goodwill will touch all hearts and translate into real help for those we serve.

If this list seems long it is because, in these increasingly expensive and uncertain times, those requiring our assistance are growing in number, and we find we are struggling to meet their needs. If you cannot bring us everything we are asking for, we understand, but we would be thrilled to receive something because every wish fulfilled really makes a difference to the lives of those we touch throughout the year.

Thank you, dear Santa, and may you, too, receive the blessings of the Christmas season.

Patients' Assistance League & Service (PALS) We are in the process of erecting our wonderful new building, so donations to the PALS Building Fund would be perfect. Cheques should be made payable to PALS and mailed to P.O. Box DV 19, Devonshire, DVBX. We also want to thank all our supporters and wish them a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Meals on Wheels: There's always something that needs fixing but we don't have any tools, so we're wishing for: a hammer, screwdrivers (Phillips and regular), an adjustable wrench, a tape measure, electrician's tape, pliers, screws and nails of various sizes to take care of those little emergencies, plus a nice tool box to put them all in. Please ( Tenika or Joanna at 236-1815 to arrange delivery. We also need sponsors to underwrite the cost of meals for those who cannot afford to pay themselves.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA): Our cats and dogs here at the shelter would love some toys and chew treats. Pet food is always needed, as are cat litter, old newspapers, and pet crates. We would also welcome bedding: doggy beds, blankets and towels, `cause those cold winter nights are a-comin'. We need extra pairs of hands at shelter for various tasks, so how about volunteering a little of your time? Also, it takes a lot of money to carry out our work, so please make your cheques payable to the SPCA and mail them to P.O. Box WK. 94, Warwick WKBX. To volunteer: ( 236-7333.

Senior Islanders' Club: Gift certificates for diesel fuel for our minivan would really be appreciated. We're spending about $150 a month on fuel, and we're always on the go! Also, is there a well cared for, electric sewing machine available? If so, we'd appreciate it for our craft programme. Our Character Building Programme for young people is going extremely well, and we have visited over 1000 students in our schools. To improve our presentation, a combined CD/cassette player is urgently needed. Please ( Rev. Fred Hassell at 295-9094 with your answer to his prayers.

Summerhaven Trust: Our wish is for towels and facecloths, standing fans (they should be on sale now!), and a 26-inch television for our lounge. Please ( Mrs. Ianthia Wade at 293-2099 to arrange delivery.

Hope Homes: We are in desperate need of funds to carry out renovations to our building. At present, the residents are in temporary accommodation at the western end of the Island, which is adversely affecting our programme. We also have day care clients, and it is very difficult to continue our training programme with the disruption. We are trying to turn adversity into blessings so we are appealing to the community for financial support and cooperation. Our Building Committee is presently working on plans to bring our old building up to the recommended standard, and there are lots of ways the public can help, from prayers to funds.

Please make cheques payable Please make cheques payable to the Association for the Mentally Handicapped Renovation Project and mail them to P.O. Box HM 1634, Hamilton HMGX.

Packwood Home: Our residents would welcome anything to do with crafts, as well as simple crossword puzzle books, a bookshelf, and books. The number to ( is 234-1459.

Bermuda Red Cross: Our wish is for peace among all nations, kindness to your neighbours, and harmony and love within each family. We would also like you to give the gift of time by volunteering to help us in various ways. Please ( 236-8253.

Salvation Army: We urgently need NEW clothing for newborns and children up to age 12 in time for our Christmas deliveries. Our register of recipients is expected to reach 800 and time is short, so please ( our Community and Family Services division at 292-5159 and for further information.

STAR/Light House: Our residents would be delighted to have these wishes fulfilled: A dryer, a television and VCR for our living room area, single sheets and pillowcases, and funds towards the purchase of a new van. Please make cheques payable to: STAR and mail them to P.O. Box HM 2498, Hamilton HMGX. For further information ( 292-59493-9323.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Continuing Care Unit: A second bus is urgently required. At present we are operating with one, and we are hard-pressed to meet the rising demands on our day care programme, so donations to this worthy cause would be wonderful. Cheques should be made payable to the KEMH Continuing Care Unit Bus Fund and mailed to P.O. Box HM 1023, Hamilton HMDX.

Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda: The Barn, our popular thrift shop in Devonshire, is being renovated, so help with the following equipment for both that facility and our office at the hospital would be appreciated: photocopier, facsimile machine, colour printer, stackable washer/dryer, clothes racks. Please ( your glad tidings to us at 236-2488.

Physical Abuse Centre: Take your pick from: bath towels, dish towels, an ironing board and covers, a computer and printer, room heater, 75-watt light bulbs, VCR, van, pillow cases, and a toaster over. All donations will be gratefully received. Just ( 292-4366 to discuss delivery. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda: Our needs are: Big Brother and Big Sister mentors, financial gifts, event sponsors, office volunteers (one/two hours per week), business professionals for our Fund Development committee; human resource professionals for our Personnel committee, sports equipment for events, fax machine (plain paper type), office refrigerator. If you can make any of our wishes come true, please ( 292-2802 or e-mail bobsibl.bm.

Sunshine League: To help us provide quality care for our children, please consider one or more of the following gifts.

Household: Window treatments, dishes, industrial stove, International Imports gift certificates, dining room chairs ($3000), acrylic glasses (Gibbons Co.). For residents' benefit: a computer, colour printer, educational computer software, play station, board games, movie/snack vouchers, `World' magazine subscription.

Miscellaneous: roof cleaning (approx. $5000), tank cleaning ($2000), volunteers (homework helpers, fitness buddies), Events committee members, web page design assistance, clerical support, more energetic volunteers, minor carpentry repairs, doors painted.

For further information please ( 292-4360 or e-mail slchsunshineleague.bm.

Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau (BFAB): We have three important needs: a new computer, a new van, and donations of cat food. Please, please help! For further information ( 291-1737.

Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association: We just want to thank everyone for supporting us throughout the year and wish them a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Please keep supporting us in the year to come. To all the young people: please obey the rules of the road and be careful. To those who drink: don't drive. We wish all the other charities a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year also. Keep up the good work!

Brangman Home: We have no television set or VCR for our children to enjoy, and would also welcome educational videos and books suitable for ages 13-18. Without room heaters we are facing a cold winter. We have none. For our kitchen, a deep fryer; pots, pans, cutlery, and plastic storage containers are sorely needed. Please ( 292-3699 and make Mrs. Trott's day.

Bermuda National Trust: With our February auction/jumble sale in mind, please look at your possessions (furniture, jewellery, china, etc.) and consider donating "one good thing" to this major fundraiser. It is also a perfect way to recycle those unsuitable Christmas gifts! Also, volunteers are needed (inc. those with special skills) for many tasks and areas: our front desk, the auction; making bluebird boxes/child and doll-size costumes, touching up our Trust logo signs, and more.

Our wishes also include an LCD projector for our schools' educational programme. For further information on how to donate goods and services, please ( 236-6483, fax 236-0617 or e-mail palmettobnt.bm.

Agape House/Friends of Hospice: We're wishing for hanging baskets and ground cover plants for our garden; dish towels and cloths, and stainless steel cutlery (pattern at Gibbons Co.), as well as logs for our fireplace. Wet wipes would also be welcome. Need further information? ( 239-2025.

Bargain Box: Please volunteer to help at this busy thrift shop. Whatever time you can spare is fine by us. Donations are also needed to carry out the work of the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children. Please call us at ( 292-4324 and make our day.

WindReach Recreational Village: One of the most precious gifts of all is Time, and we need more volunteers for every day of the year. We also provide a unique and rewarding opportunity for whole families to serve together. We are funded entirely by donations, so money is always welcome. Cheques should be made payable to: WindReach Recreational Village and mailed to P.O.Box WK. 654, Warwick WKBX. To learn more about us visit our webside: www.windreach.org