T—L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Attorney Michael Shaheen presents CAC Executive Director Alaire Mancz with a donation for the organization’s Secret Santa Program. Shaheen and his wife, Robyn, have donated to the program, which purchases Christmas gifts for the area’s youth, for the past seven years.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Secret Santa Program is helping to spread a little holiday cheer by providing youth in Belmont County with gifts for Christmas.

For more than 25 years the Community Action Commission of Belmont County has collected donations from the community in order to purchase gifts for youth who may not receive much otherwise. Alaire Mancz, executive director of the CAC, said the program is funded completely by private donors and relies on donations to keep it going.

“If there weren’t donations, we wouldn’t be able to have this program. So luckily every year we’ve had people willing to contribute,” she said.

This year, the effort raised just over $3,000 and organizers were able to provide 34 students in middle and high school with gifts.

“It (the amount of students) varies every year. … The reason we focus on ages 13–18 is because there are a lot of programs geared toward younger kids, and sometimes the older adolescent kids get left out,” she said.

The organization purchases items such as bookbags, clothing, gift cards and at least one personalized gift for the student. Mancz said the students will provide school staff with a list of specific items they would like to receive, which helps with the shopping process.

Attorney Michael Shaheen, owner of Shaheen Law Group LLC, and his wife, Robyn, presented the organization with a check for $500 this year. This is the seventh year the couple has supported the program.

“We feel blessed to be able to do it every year. Those that are potential recipients are lucky they have someone like Alaire administering for this organization. For as long as possible, we’re here to help every year,” he said.

Other donors include Belmont Savings Bank, Belmont Correctional Institution employees and Ohio Valley Christian Soldiers, along with many private donors.

“We’re very fortunate to have the support that we do. We have a lot of repeat donors that we rely on every year,” Mancz said, adding that one resident has donated money to the program for the past 15 years.

Any remaining funds will go toward next year’s program. Mancz said they like to keep a little bit of cash in the fund just in case they are unable to secure as many donations the following year.

This year’s gifts were delivered to schools throughout the county by CAC staff Wednesday morning. The schools will distribute the gifts to the students.

Anyone wishing to donate to the program can call the CAC at 740-695-0293 or send checks to 153 1/2 W. Main St., St. Clairsville.