T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Shaheen Law Group LLC owner and attorney Michael Shaheen, right, gives Community Action Commission of Belmont County Executive Director Alaire King a $500 check for the annual Secret Santa Program, with Robyn Shaheen on left.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Shaheen Law Group on Tuesday donated $500 to the Community Action Commission of Belmont County for its annual Secret Santa program.

Shaheen Law Group LLC owner and attorney Michael Shaheen said that he and his wife Robyn Shaheen have donated to the program for at least the past decade.

The CAC collects donations from the community for the program in order to purchase gifts for Belmont County children who may not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.

Executive Director Alaire King said that the CAC begins collecting donations in autumn and has provided items for 37 children this year.

Shaheen said the program is important to him because his mother Addie Bedway Shaheen instilled the mentality to provide for community members who are in need.

“It was impressed upon me at a very young age that this is the whole point of this season. And so I really take pleasure in it,” he said. “My mom would have me take a letter to the principal when I was in grade school, asking what kids weren’t having Christmas or if somebody needed a coat, and then she would buy them stuff, and they never knew where it came from.”

King added that CAC is a private organization that doesn’t receive any federal funding, so the Secret Santa program wouldn’t be possible without donations from local businesses and private residents.

“Every dollar counts really counts and there’s no time limit on it. So if we get extra donations, it’s really nice because it’ll go towards next year. So we’ll be starting out the gate a little bit ahead of the game,” King said. “Through the generosity of the Shaheens and other area businesses and local folks, we’re able to run this program. Otherwise it doesn’t exist and luckily, every year, people are generous enough to donate.”

She added that how the program works is that area schools will give the CAC names of children who they think could benefit from a donation for Christmas.

“Each school gives us three children, and that’s middle school and high school. Then [we] go shopping for the kids,” King said. “We get their wish lists, and we really tailor it as much as we can to each child.”

For example, if one of the children enjoys cooking, they would receive a cookbook and cooking supplies. King said that one child broke their skateboard and requested a new one which the program will be providing.

Shaheen said that he is in the beginning steps of creating a back-to-school shoe drive for area students that will take place in August.

“I like my shoes, so we were kicking around an idea on the basis that all kids need to have shoes. So we may do something similar to Coats for Kids,” Shaheen said.

King added that the CAC currently has something similar for children called Stanley Stompers, and would be interested in teaming up with Shaheen in August.

She said that the CAC accepts donations year round and interested donors can send a check to 153½ West Main Street with Attn. Secret Santa or call 740-695-0293 ext. 236.