Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce that its Gifts and Grants Committee is currently accepting applications from Bahamian non-profit and charitable organisations who wish to apply for an award.

The Foundation is a powerful catalyst for change in The Bahamas, having disbursed $10 million to dozens of local non-profit groups to date.

Grants generally range from $5,000 to $25,000. On occasion, substantially larger grants have been approved and special fundraising efforts undertaken.

Increasingly, the Gifts and Grants initiative focuses on projects targeting the emotional, educational and recreational needs of children and young adults. This is in keeping with the Foundation's wish to provide assistance that will have a long-term impact and of addressing the root causes of some of the difficulties facing our society.

The Foundation does not normally make direct gifts to support expenses incurred by other endowments, places of worship or government agencies (such as construction or administrative costs), but will fund qualifying philanthropic community programmes run by these organisations. It does not make awards to individuals or to cover personal medical expenses.

When considering applications, the Gifts and Grants Committee favours:

* Specific programmes over general ones
* Existing programmes over start-ups
* Requests to fund capital costs rather than operating costs
* Tangible needs ? e.g. equipment, physical repairs, building projects, etc.
* Programmes that will benefit the Family Islands

The 2009 grant application deadlines are as follows:

* February 1 to be considered by March 30
* April 1 to be considered by June 1
* October 1 to be considered by November 30

Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. has lent financial assistance to The Hope Centre, which runs 'Operation Redemption,' an apprenticeship programme where individuals can acquire critical job skills while making a living. For full details on which groups and projects may qualify, the application process and application forms, please visit www.lyfordcayfoundation.org or call Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. at 362-4910.

The following awards were made in 2008:

Adelaide Auxiliary
$39,500
Funding toward the School Lunch Programme, which provides a hot meal to needy students every school day, and the Classroom and Library Renovation Project at Adelaide Primary School. The institution is working toward the creation of a state-of-the-art reading and learning facility.

The Bahamas Children's Emergency Hostel
$3,800
Gift to assist with the renovation of the foyer area in this home for displaced children.

The Bahamas Judo Federation
$10,000
Funding toward the purchase of official tournament mats to be used at international tournaments as well as individual Judo clubs throughout the year.

Bahamas National Youth Choir
$7,500
Renewal of Gold Patron status in support of the country's premier musical ambassadors.

Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation (BREEF)
$12,000
Third installment of a three-year tiered grant to support BREEF's Marine Conservation Teacher Training programme.

Bahamas Sailing Association
$7,000
Sponsorship of 20 students from six public schools to participate in a two-week summer sailing programme that teaches youngsters the fundamentals of the sport and the virtues of teamwork, dedication, hard work, fair play and respect for other people and the omnipotent ocean.

The Bahamas Salvation Army
$22,000
Funding toward the cost of 20 station licenses, training and computer support for the AutoSkills Literacy software programme used in the Salvation Army's 'Excel After School' project.

Cancer Society of The Bahamas
$97,234
Proceeds from the Foundation's partnership with Ride For Hope Bahamas donated to the Cancer Caring Centre and other programmes of the Society.

Cape Eleuthera Foundation's Island School, Bahamas Environmental Stewards
$50,000
Scholarship to enable Bahamian high school graduates to participate in an innovative yearlong programme focusing on environmental issues and education.

Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and the Shirley Oakes Butler Charitable Trust, which is administered by the Foundation, sponsored three Bahamian athletes to compete at the Special Olympics (SO) World Summer Games held in Shanghai, China, in October of 2007. Pictured: SO athlete Deron Forbes. The College of The Bahamas (COB) Virtual Library
$1,500,000
Funding toward the creation of COB's Virtual Library, including improved network infrastructure, purchase of software, IT hardware and furnishings for an Information Commons that will make Library resources accessible to students and individuals around the world through the Internet.

The Crisis Centre
$10,000
General operating support of programmes in primary and secondary schools that teach respect for others, non-violent conflict resolution techniques and healthy communication strategies.

Deep Creek Middle School, Eleuthera
$15,000
Scholarship assistance for needy students in Deep Creek, Eleuthera.

E. P. Taylor Foundation
$6,000
Funding of clinic and equipment expenses at Lyford Cay Hospital.

Every Child Counts, Abaco
$10,000
Third installment of a three-year recurring grant providing scholarship assistance to Abaco's sole institution dedicated to helping children with intellectual and physical disabilities who would not otherwise be able to afford special education.

Friends of The Environment, Abaco
$10,000
Funding toward the production of an educational video to increase understanding of how the mangrove and coral reef ecosystems benefit each other and the crucial impact they have on the local fisheries industry.

Governor-General's Youth Award
$75,000
General operating support of this exceptional international programme for young Bahamians.

Hands for Hunger
$10,000
Funding toward the cost of diesel fuel and electricity for two refrigerated trucks used to deliver fresh food items to non-profit organisations in Nassau. Hands for Hunger was co-founded in 2008 by Alanna Rodgers, a former participant in the Lyford Cay Foundation 'SEARCH' programme, which assists outstanding Bahamian students in the college application process and matches them with top schools abroad to secure funding for their studies.

Hopedale Centre
$7,500
Annual scholarship support of special needs education for children with intellectual disabilities.

Hopedale Foundation
$55,000
Funding toward the clinical services programme, vocational training and micro-enterprise initiative.

Kids Up!
$6,250
Sponsorship of 10 participants at the Kids Up! summer camp. Kids Up! emphasizes academic improvement and social development for youngsters from two inner-city neighbourhoods in Nassau and provides them with two nutritious meals a day.

Kids Up!/GGYA
$2,000
Sponsorship of 10 boys to attend the Governor-General's Youth Award weeklong summer camp in Eleuthera.

LINK Bahamas
$15,000
Funding toward the further development of the organisation's website to include content updates, video streaming, resume uploads and job search functions. LINK Bahamas is an online community of Bahamians around the world founded by Lyford Cay scholar Vaughn Roberts.

Lyford Cay International School
$45,000
In support of the school's partial scholarship programme.

The P.A.C.E. Centre, Grand Bahama
$5,000
Assistance to purchase a computer, printer, computer desks and chairs, library shelves, uniform fabric, guidance counseling materials, new mother gift bags and newborn baby clothing for this programme for unwed teen mothers.

Physically Challenged Children's Committee
$25,000
Gift to underwrite the Committee's ongoing programme benefiting underprivileged children with physical challenges.

Project Read Bahamas
$10,000
Funding toward the purchase of teaching and reading materials for students and volunteer tutors for this adult literacy programme.

Royal Bahamas Police Force Dependents' Trust
$50,000
Educational and other assistance for dependents of police officers harmed or killed in the line of duty.

The Safe Sex Initiative (TSSI)
$7,000
Funding toward the purchase of condoms to be distributed free of charge by this group of young volunteers who are dedicated to raising awareness about, and preventing the spread of, HIV/Aids in The Bahamas. TSSI was founded by Lyford Cay Foundation scholar David Geraldo Frazer.

South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturers Association
$5,000
Sponsorship of 30 children to attend a four-week summer youth camp where community elders teach youngsters a variety of skills including straw, shell and coconut crafts, tie-dye and boat and hut construction, as well as character development and respect for The Bahamas' cultural heritage and the environment.

TOTAL 2008 GRANTS: $2,117,784


Photo: Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and the Shirley Oakes Butler Charitable Trust, which is administered by the Foundation, sponsored three Bahamian athletes to compete at the Special Olympics (SO) World Summer Games held in Shanghai, China, in October of 2007. Pictured: SO athlete Deron Forbes. (Photo courtesy of SO Bahamas)

By Angelo Armbrister
The Freeport News

The body of 16-year-old Jett Travolta was creamated following the completion of an autopsy yesterday hours after it was released to his family by Bahamian authorities.

This was confirmed last night by Keith McSweeney, owner of Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium, the funeral home that handled the remains of actor John Travolta's son.

Although the results of the autopsy were not made available to the media, the Associated Press (AP) reported that the assistant director of the funeral home said the death certificate said he was killed by a "seizure."

AP quoted funeral home Assistant Director Glen Campbell as saying that the boy's body is in "great condition" and shows no sign of head trauma, despite police reports that the teen may have hit his head on a bathtub.

The two pathologists who conducted the autopsy, one of whom was Dr. Karyn Sands from New Providence, emerged around 3 p.m. with their official medical findings as to what really led to the teen's death.

Dr. Mark Smith, the Travolta family doctor, also was present for the procedure.

The report was then released to the family, while the body was turned over to them shortly thereafter.

After confirming the completion of the autopsy, The Freeport News was, however, unable to ascertain any additional information from Medical Chief of Staff officials at the Rand Memorial Hospital who referred us to the Travolta's lawyers.

International medial personnel were jockeying between the Rand Memorial Hospital, Restview Mortuary and the Police Headquarters waiting for hours on end to get whatever morsel of information they could.

Up to press time yesterday, John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston had not yet disclosed the results of the autopsy into the death of their son.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham expressed condolences to the family, explaining that the autopsy is a formality the country requires in cases of sudden death to rule out foul play.

"We look forward to them being able to have the autopsy today and for the coroner to be able to make a decision so the body can be released," the Prime Minister said.

In an interview with the Freeport News yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis explained that only the family has authority to release the findings of the autopsy to the public.

"The Coroner has signed off, the physicians have signed the death certificate and therefore the body has been released to the mortician," Dr. Minnis said.

He added, however, that he was pleased with the manner in which the procedure was handled by the local authorities.

"I think they did an excellent job ... Everything was done very timely and efficiently," he said, adding that in the future he hopes "we can continue to be proactive and cut down on as much delay time as possible."

Jett Travolta died on Friday, January 2, turning what was to be a fun New Year's holiday vacation into an unfortunate tragedy.

The Travolta family arrived on the island on December 30 and were staying at their ocean-front home in West End, where they planned to remain until January 9.

Reports are that Jett had spent Thursday on the water with his family and was tired upon his return. At about 5:30 that evening, he reportedly told his family goodnight and retired to his room accompanied by a caretaker, after which he went to the bathroom.

Moments after the family nanny discovered Jett's unconscious body, attempts were made by employees of Old Bahama Bay at Ginn sur Mer as well as a local physician and other emergency medical personnel to revive him.

The teenager was taken by ambulance to the Rand memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. John Travolta was said to be with his son in the ambulance on the ride from the ocean- front resort. It was also reported that the boy may have died in his father's arms.
(Photo by Jenneva Russell/The Freeport News)