Representatives of three more worthy charities were on hand at Freemasons Hall in Reid Street, Hamilton this week receiving donations from the Freemasons Fund of Bermuda (FFB)

Beneficiaries were the Bermuda School of Music, represented by its general manager, Greg Smith; The Family Center with Peter Carey its Director of Community Education; and Lance Furbert, executive director of Wind Reach.

According to the FBB's public relations officer John Dale, the fund is a registered Charity which has been functioning very effectively since 1981, having donated so far over $200,000 to various local charities. Their funds are generated from Freemasons themselves.

"We do not make appeals to the general public or sections of the general public," explained Mr. Dale. He added The Freemasons Fund of Bermuda is not in itself a Masonic Lodge but represents all 13 Masonic Lodges in the island, being its local fundraising arm.

"Bermuda is quite unique in that in 22 square miles we have lodges representative of The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland each with their own particular History in Bermuda. Each of these lodges are members of the FFB and contribute accordingly. Additionally the Fund itself will hold fund raising events. However, all monies generated go to charities in Bermuda. Donations are not made to religious or political bodies or to individual Masons and their families.

Mr. Carey explained The Family Centre is an Internationally accredited Bermuda Charity. Since 1985 it has provided early intervention services to children who are suffering from family based problems and abuse, neglect and other emotional challenges. Through their special programmes and prevention initiatives they provide families with skills they need to be successful and sustain that success for future generations.

The WindReach facilities are used by persons with a wide range of abilities and special needs from the mild to the more profound, including Bermuda's growing senior population.

Some of the visitors are persons recovering from injuries that have left them temporarily or permanently disabled. Visitors come on their own or with caregivers and use the facilities for physical therapy and job training.

For the most part however, Mr. Furbert explained, WindReach visitors are the clients of some 100 organisations that use the facility as an important component of their programmes; organisations such as the Ministry of Education, the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, the Bermuda Autism Support & Education Society, Bermuda's Seniors homes and many others.

The Bermuda School of Music is a not-for-profit registered charity that has been providing music education since 1978. Offering the finest musical education by a highly qualified local and international staff, the school provides instruction for children and adults in piano, voice, organ, recorder, flute, saxophone, clarinet, guitar (classical and electric), percussion, steel pan and all string instruments. There are also classes in music theory, composition and jazz studies. While most of their students are of school age, participants in the programme include every age group, from infants to retirees. It was recognised that barriers, both financial and physical were preventing students from participating in music lessons.