Community groups and organisations throughout the Island are elated with the generosity demonstrated by the public this Christmas.

Supervisor of Family Services Glenda Edwards said the department had received an abundance of toys, and food and clothes vouchers.

"I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, there were a number of groups who donated things this Christmas,'' she added.

Mrs. Edwards said in addition to the groups and businesses many individuals and schools had donated goods.

Santa Anonymous, run by the Salvation Army, has received more than 1,000 toys for needy children. And in spite of the December 5 deadline Major Wilson Noble said people were still bringing in toys for the drive.

"We have done very, very well this year and toys are still coming in,'' Major Noble added.

He also said about 500 people had responded to the drive and that approximately 1,200 children were expected to receive the toys.

Major Noble added that the response was on par with last year.

Hands of Love director Fern Wade expressed satisfaction with the results of the charities sixth annual Christmas dinner on the street.

"It was wonderful, we served over 300 person,'' Mrs. Wade said.

Hands of Love will be serving soup to the homeless on New Year's Day and will begin Operation Blankets, a programme to supply homeless people with blankets, next month.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Churches of the Island plan to pass out close to 400 baskets this Christmas.

Church community services Pastor Errol McLean said this was a yearly tradition.

He added that the church's giving was not confined to the Christmas season.

"We also do this throughout the year, although not as intensely,'' Pastor McLean explained. "Hampers are given out once or twice a week and sometimes cash is given to those in need.'' And approximately 70 children who have incarcerated parents are expected to receive presents as a result of the Prison fellowship's Christmas Angel Tree Programme. The Chairman of Prison Fellowship Bermuda Jack Harris explained that the programme was carried out every Christmas on a worldwide basis with 62 countries participating this year.

He explained that forms were filled out by inmates at Westgate, The Prison Farm and the Co-Educational Facility who wished to ensure their children received gifts.

Guardians were then contacted by Prison Fellowship to get a list of affordable presents.

After which members of the general public, businesses and churches are asked to become sponsors to pay for the presents.

Some churches hold special children's Christmas parties to distribute the gifts, and the other gifts are then distributed to care givers in the time for Christmas.

CHURCH CHU