For the 55th year, the Bermuda Junior Service League once again provided a bright spot for those in hospital or residential care with their annual Hospital Christmas Bag programme.

The Hospital Christmas Bag effort is an annual campaign where League members and other community volunteers put together nearly 500 care packages in one evening.

Assembled bags were then taken to King Edward VIII Memorial Hospital, Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Westmeath and Agape House.

Each person in the hospital around the Christmas holiday is meant to receive a bag full of items such as shampoo, lotion, toothbrush, bottled water, snacks, personal care items and even toys and coloring books for the kids!

It helps patients who spend the holidays away from home that someone is thinking of them.

"We look forward to bringing some holiday cheer to those who are in the hospital at Christmas," said project chairperson and League president Verde Pineda.

"This small act of kindness will hopefully make a difference to the recipients and remind them that people care."

In 2007, the Bermuda Junior Service League assembled and delivered 441 Christmas Bags. Every year, there is a 10-20 percent increase in how many bags are needed.

The BJSL said local businesses assist every year by making donations of much needed items; they always come through to ensure the Hospital Christmas Bag effort is a huge success.