gloom in the news lately it is easy to forget that this is the season for giving.

And as the 20th century comes to a close and a new millennium approaches, The Royal Gazette sought three individuals who exemplify the old adage peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Via their little acts of kindness, unselfishness and willingness to get involved, these three individuals prove that mankind did not spend the entire 20th century preoccupied with technological and monetary advances.

They illustrate that in a world full of chaos and uncertainty there are still people that one can rely on in a time of need.

And as the clock strikes midnight next Friday, it's comforting to know that Bermuda will start the next millennium with individuals like these.

*** P.c. John Lynch-Wade Sometimes he's a father-figure, sometimes he's a friend and sometimes he just sits there and listens.

What ever role he plays, 24-year Police veteran P.c John Lynch-Wade is a strong male role model and community activist that many in the community don't even know about.

"I don't even think about it, I just do it because it needs to be done,'' he said. "I don't keep track of what I do, that would be egotistic -- I just do it.

"Working in the Police Service allows me to come in contact with people who need help and if I can, I help out.'' With his easy going and approachable manner, P.c. Lynch-Wade befriends and helps local teens cope with stress and upheaval that usually accompanies the turbulent teenage years.

"I work with kids, young men between the ages 10 and 15, who have family problems,'' he explained. "A lot of the kids live in two-parent homes but for some reason there has been a breakdown. I sit with them and with the family as a whole and discuss their situation.

"I usually do it in the home because the kids have to be comfortable, actually everyone has to be comfortable. We sit down, talk and go back to where the problem started. Then we look for ways to deal with the it.

"I try to help the young person understand that they have a responsibility to themselves, to their family and to the community. And I also try to help the parents realise that they have to be responsible for them.'' If P.c. Lynch-Wade feels that the issues are beyond his realm, he refers the family to professionals.

"If need be, I try to get them into healthy and fulfilling programmes so they can resolve their problems.'' Originally born in St. Kitts, P.c. Lynch-Wade said that it was Bermuda's welcoming and friendly atmosphere that prompted him to start lending a helping hand.

"All of this started years ago,'' he recalled. "I arrived in 1974 and was welcomed by various families. This is my way of giving back to the community which welcomed me so warmly.

"And via my involvement with PRIDE I realised that there was a need for male involvement in the community.'' P.c. Lynch-Wade admitted that his extra curricular activities, when coupled with a hectic Police work schedule, can be a little draining at times -- even for a tall, strong Police officer.

"At any given time I could have an average of four kids under my guidance,'' he said. "It can become taxing, because thanks to word-of-mouth people ask me to help them.

"Parents will stop me on the street and ask for my assistance,'' he confessed. "It's just through word of mouth that people know about me -- Bermuda is small.'' But despite the demands of juggling Police and community work, P.c. Lynch- Wade said the arrangement was a win-win situation all around.

"The best part is seeing the kids come around and make an effort and seeing them improve their grades,'' he said. "Actually there are so many good parts.

"It's also nice to think that maybe my involvement might have been the catalyst for them to make the effort to get back on track. Just seeing the change in them is great! "This also allows the community to see that the Police Service is not what they think it is,'' he added. "We are community based. And I'm not the only person in the Service who gives back to the community, many of us give back.'' Once the youngsters are back on track and walking the straight and narrow, P.c. Lynch-Wade moves on to the next child in need of his guidance.

"I just move on and go to the next problem. I'm not looking for a following.'' *** Patti-Jean Millett Santa Claus is coming to town! But tonight will be the second time Santa has visited the Princess Estates home of Patti-Jean Millett this year.

For over the last ten years, Santa Claus has made an appearance at Mrs.

Millett's annual Santa Claus Breakfast for her neighbourhood children and friends.

"When I started out doing this I think there was only ten children attending,'' recalled the mother of four. "This year there were more than 30 children.

"I even get people calling me asking to be invited.'' Each year Mrs. Millett opens her wallet and unleashes her imagination to create a magical holiday soiree for the children in her Pembroke neighbourhood.

"The kids have so much fun and get so much enjoyment out of it. They are the ones that keep me going. They so look forward to it.'' Just like jolly ole Saint Nick, Mrs. Millett works at night (and often through the night) to get everything ready to the annual extravaganza.

"I drop off the letters to each house at night or I give them to the parents and tell them to put it somewhere where the kids will find it when they wake up.

"A lot of them think the letters actually come from Santa.'' After staying up all night baking goodies, decorating her home and wrapping gifts, Mrs. Millett dons her Santa's cap and gets a family friend decked out in a special red suit.

Upon their arrival around 10.15 a.m., children are immediately presented with festive hats or masks and are ushered-in for a personal picture with the beloved man in red -- Santa! "Once they get their picture taken with Santa they sit down to the tables and my Santa's helpers serve them breakfast which is usually scrambled eggs, sausages and pancakes cut out in different Christmas shapes plus juice,'' she explained. "After breakfast, the kids go outside and do an activity, like breaking a pinata or watching a puppet show, while we clean up the table and set up for crafts.

"I try to pick crafts that will be fun, quick but easy because we do have some very little ones participating.'' Once the children complete their masterpieces, they go back outside for another activity like story telling or facing panting and feast on some home-made treats like cupcakes and sugar cookies.

This half-hour diversion allows Mrs. Millett and her `elves' the chance to set up for yet another craft-making session.

Mrs. Millett also purchases each child their own personal present from `Santa'-- usually books in a bid to encourage the children to read.

"I start preparing for this in the summer,'' she explained. "I place an order for books so I can have them here before the Christmas rush.'' After a morning full of merriment and yuletide good cheer, Santa took his leave and return to the North Pole to finish getting ready for Christmas.

"Before they leave, they get a present from Santa and a party bag,'' she added. "Everything usually winds up around 12.30 p.m.'' Over the years, Mrs. Millett's festive deed has earned her plenty of praise from her neighbours, friends and even a letter from the Senate commending her for her work.

"When I'm tired I must admit that I do think of skipping a year, but the children so look forward to it, I can't disappoint them,'' she confessed.

"Each year it gets more expensive to host but when I see their faces, its worth it. They get so excited.

"People have suggested that I hold it at Pembroke Community Centre and start charging admission, but that's not what its all about. This is my little way of giving back to the community and especially to the kids.'' Angels on the Rock "The way the world is today, kids are growing up too fast. They don't get enough opportunities to just be children. With this they get the chance to enjoy all the fun that comes with being a child at Christmas.'' *** Jane Amaral The gift of sight is something many of us take for granted, but not Jane Amaral.

The British-born Pembroke resident, who has lived in Bermuda for almost 30 years, has become a guardian angel to those fighting to retain their vision and a guiding light to the disabled.

Via her roles as chairman of Sight Conservation Committee of the Lion and Lioness Clubs of Bermuda and director of the Bermuda Educational Trust, Mrs.

Amaral is a vision of compassion.

"The Bermuda Educational Assistance Trust is specifically for residents with disabilities who are included in the educational system,'' she explained. "We believe that most disabled children should be included in the educational system.'' Over the years the Trust has helped numerous children take full advantage of the joy of learning regardless of their disability.

"We have provided funds for a teaching assistant to help a child at a pre-school,'' she recalled, "and we have done it for a little girl that has multiple disorders.

"We have also helped older children. There is a girl in her early teens who is away in school as well as a 17-year-old. And we have helped a college student with their education.'' And some of the children helped by the Bermuda Educational Trust are children Mrs. Amaral discover during her visits to local nursery and pre-schools via the Lions Club's sight screening programme for children.

"We go to over 40 schools and test the children's sight before they enter primary school,'' explained the charter member of the Hamilton Lioness Club.

"It is a very simple test, the children do not need to know their alphabet or numbers.

"We have a little machine, about the size of a sewing machine. it displays the letter E and the children just have to say which way the arms are going.

"If we feel that there is a problem, then the child is sent for a referral.'' And the preservation or the gift of sight is not only bestowed on children, she pointed out, adults have also benefited from farsightedness.

As of last month, 17 pairs of glasses, 14 free examinations, three cataract surgeries, three ophthalmologist examinations, a pre-cataract procedure and a capsulotomy have been done in 1999 -- all under the chairmanship of Mrs.

Amaral.

But despite her leadership role, Mrs. Amaral remains humble about her charitable deeds.

"I never really stop to think of the impact,'' she confessed. "And its not just me doing this, there are others.

"You just do it, it needs to be done,'' she added. "We're not just here on this planet by ourselves. There is always someone out there who is worse off then ourselves.

"I'm lucky to have a flexible schedule so I have the freedom to do it. And I must admit that it does consume a lot of my time -- but that's because I allow it to.

"Sometimes its just a question of stuffing envelopes or making calls. People can give a little time to something they care about -- it doesn't have to be a lot.'' Guardian Angel: When P.c. John Lynch-Wade is not busy keeping Bermuda's streets safe, he's a guardian angel to troubled teens.

Santa's helpers: Patti-Jean Millett (top right), with the help of jolly ole Saint Nick (pictured here holding Dazha C. Dillas) and her grandson Kijaun (below right), throws a magical Santa Claus Breakfast party for her neighbourhood children and friends each year.

A Shining Star: For many battling vision ailments, Jane Amaral is the shining star that guides them in the dark.