T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Melanie Haswell, back left, and daughter-in-law Nikki Butts pose with Butts’ children 7-year-old Karson, left, and 5-year-old Ella as they announce this year’s Sharing Tree drive to help buy gifts and items for Shadyside Local School District students.

SHADYSIDE — The annual Sharing Tree program is starting up again to provide gifts for area children who attend the Shadyside Local School District.

Donations should be in by Nov. 10 if possible, but they will be accepted later.

Councilwoman Melanie Haswell organizes the effort, which was initiated by her parents, Ray and Bette Ponzo.

“It’s the 32nd year,” she said. “For the past 14 years I’ve taken over.”

Haswell said the need has only grown since 1991.

“They started it with probably 20 kids, and then it’s usually, by the time we get all these written up, it’s probably going to be over 100,” she said. “If you don’t have time to shop, or you can’t get out of the house and get things, you can donate.”

Haswell said the need may have increased during and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Christmas is a huge holiday in our families. I know Mom always wanted the children to have a good Christmas, and that’s why if there are people who are struggling and needing a little bit of an extra boost,” she said. “It has definitely gone up.”

Haswell’s daughter-in-law, Nikki Butts, is a third grade teacher at Leona Middle School. Haswell previously taught in the district but retired. Now Butts collects pertinent information about each child in need through her work at the school.

“If anybody needs to give a paper to anybody, they know they can go to her,” Haswell said.

She said the contributors’ generosity is appreciated.

“I have a lot of people that donate money, a decent amount of money that I greatly appreciate, because I think a lot of the high school kids want to be like other high school kids and they like a bit more expensive items the older they get,” she said. “They want Nike shoes or they want an electronic” device.

She added that the gifts are not only for those children attending the schools.

“Any school-age kids that go to Shadyside schools … if they have younger siblings that are not in school, they can add the younger siblings onto the stars also,” Haswell said.

Butts said they welcome donations of new and unwrapped toys, clothes, games, diapers and other Christmas items.

“I’ve asked teachers to do (‘what do you want for Christmas’ assignments) so we can get a little hint for what the kids want. And when you’re in the school, you can see what they need. You see them walking down the hall, you know if they wear the same pair of shoes every day, if they need a new jacket. It’s nice being there and being able to tell what they need.”

The gifts are usually given to the children at the end of November.

Anyone with questions about the program should call Haswell at 740-391-5015 or send a donation to Melanie Haswell/Sharing Tree 2023 at 400 W. 39th St., Shadyside, OH 43947. She also has a Facebook page. Any questions during school hours can be asked of Butts.