From our hand to yours Lyford Cay Foundation Donates to 21 Worthy Causes

HARDLY a needy hand went untouched this year thanks to the generous heart of the Lyford Cay Foundation Gifts and Grants Committee.

Spread amongst deserving local organizations, schools, homes for the young and old with special needs and other approved charitable projects, the Foundation's most recent donations will go a long way in assisting the less fortunate in the community.

Though overshadowed by the success of its scholarship programs -- the Lyford Cay Foundation is the largest non-governmental provider of educational financial assistance in the region - the Foundation's Gifts and Grants Committee has supported programs that protect or improve the quality of life in The Bahamas since 1969.

		The substantial awards came at a time when political and economic shock waves threw the world into a state of uncertainty, casting doubt on the level of charitable giving while heightening needs, said Gifts and Grants Committee Chairman Paul Sandford.

"The needs of others do not go away because the stock market becomes a roller coaster," Sandford added. "We were determined to urge our benefactors and supporters to reach deeper into their pockets than they had ever done before."

>From development funds to outreach programs, Grand Bahama to Eleuthera, funds donated by the Foundation's Gifts Committee helped re-awaken hopes and dreams throughout the Bahamas. Ranging from $3,000 to $125,000, among the donations were a grant awarded to the Grand Bahama Children's Home construction project, computers and printers for the Deep Creek Middle School & Resource Centre in South Eleuthera and the purchase of emergency shelter items for the Children's Emergency Hostel here in Nassau.

"The decision is never an easy one," said Sandford, who, traipses through bush, analyzes financial documents and interviews those who request funds before recommending that the request go before a Board of Directors for a final decision. In the past, the Committee has purchased AZT for the AIDS Foundation, provided scholarships for students at the Hopedale Centre, resource material for family island schools, medical equipment for Princess Margaret Hospital, supported homes for the disabled, displaced and disadvantaged. They have also helped to construct a Halfway House for the Bahamas Prison Fellowship.

"We looked at so many organizations, and all of them could have benefited from the Foundation's help one way or the other," said Mr. Sandford. "It was really difficult to choose just 21. How do you choose between a halfway house for prisoners to give them a real second chance at life and purchasing band instruments for a high school so members of the band are more likely to have positive goals and grow up to be active, productive members of society? There are no easy guidelines. Now our hope is that there will be more funds available next year and more partners who care."