The time of trees and stars, generosity, and caring about your neighbor is upon us.
Yes, the minute the last piece of candy is eaten Monday night, it will be officially the holiday season.
In the village of Shadyside, this time of year takes on extra significance as residents open their hearts and their wallets to participate in the annual Sharing Tree. In little more than a week, the residents of Shadyside will begin contacting Sharing Tree coordinator Melanie Haswell to obtain little stars with a young boy or girl, their age, and their Christmas wish list all is written upon them.
They’ll head out to stores around the Upper Ohio Valley and beyond, purchase as many items as their own budgets will allow—and sometimes moreso—and help provide a great Christmas to a deserving child or children in need. Haswell has been running the Sharing Tree for the last 13 years, ever since her mother Bette Anne Ponzo passed away. It was her mother, along with her father Ray Ponzo, who started the Sharing Tree in town.
It’s now in its 31st year and Haswell recently announced on her Facebook that donations are now being accepted and the stars will soon be ready to hand to those willing to help out.
“I sent papers out last Wednesday to all the kids in the grade and middle schools, and the high school students are taken care of by a few teachers who give me the names that are in need,” Haswell said. “They have to turn them in by Friday, or at the latest Monday, and what it is, is a wish list. They can put clothes or toys, and of course, the high school kids want what they see other kids having like American Eagle clothing or Hey Dude shoes.”
Once all the information is collected, the stars will be drawn up and people can contact Haswell at (740) 391-5015 to pick one up and begin their shopping. Haswell noted on her Facebook post that the Sharing Tree is getting started a little earlier this year as sales will start earlier and it gives people extra time to make their purchases.
Shadyside may be a smaller community, but the need is there, as it is in every town. In recent years, the number of children helped by the Sharing Tree has grown to more than 100.
“Some people might say, well I’m not sure if that person’s really needy, but we all know what we’re going through, the rising costs of everything,” Haswell noted. “Even if both parents work, it’s very hard to make ends meet. My mom was a huge Christmas person and she went all out for Christmas. I’m obviously very passionate about kids, whether that be teaching first grade for 33 years or the high school kids I have now through the juvenile court.”
A Family Tradition
As Melanie said, her mother truly had a love for Christmas. And for children, too.
In her youth, she attended what was then West Liberty State College in the hopes of becoming a teacher. She was unable to finish due to becoming having her children at age 20 and 21, but that love for kids and helping kids never dad.
Her husband, and Melanie’s father Ray Ponzo, shared that love and was the longtime band director at Shadyside. Back in 1991, the Ponzos had enough of hearing about families struggling and kids going without at Christmas time and decided to do something about it.
Thus the Sharing Tree in Shadyside was born.
“They started hearing kids were in need, whether their parents were out of their jobs or just struggling to make ends meet,” Haswell recalled. “That first year, they helped maybe 16-20 kids. Now, it’s well over 100.”
Because of the Ponzos passion in helping school children out in Shadyside, that’s who the sharing tree is aimed at assisting. All needy children living in Shadyside and attending Shadyside schools are eligible to participate in the program.
“The program is really nice because the people take the stars and buy the (kids) tons of stuff,” Haswell said. “Some families depend on that for Christmas, and we’ve been told that they hope we never stop doing this because that’s the only way their kids will get a Christmas. It’s rough.”
Ways to Help Out
Anyone wishing to help out can call Haswell at the above phone number. They can assist either by selecting a star, or more, and purchasing the gifts for that particular child or children. You can also assist by sending monetary donations directly to Haswell at 400 West 39th Street in Shadyside.
The donations go toward helping to purchase some of the larger items on the wish lists. Yes, Haswell admitted, she has purchased a TV or two in the past. It all depends on the amount donated.
The important thing is no child that is in need goes without. Should some of the stars go unshopped for, Haswell will also use donation money to purchase those gifts.
She also encourages any businesses that want to get involved, either by purchasing gifts for a few of the stars, or making a donation, to do so by contacting her.
Some businesses have worked with Haswell through the years and provided a discount when she’s shopping for Christmas gifts for the kids.
“Last year, I spent a good bit at American Eagle at the mall and they gave me a percentage off,” Haswell recalled. “There are other stores like that, that will give us a percentage off and everybody is just super generous.
“Even through tough times, people continue to step up.”
Once the individuals or businesses purchase the gifts, they can either drop them off at Haswell’s home, or she can come to pick them up. She will get them all sorted and wrapped (if requested by the parents of the children) and ready for the Christmas season.
Then, as the big day approaches, she’ll contact the families that their gifts are ready.
It’s a holiday tradition that no one wishes was necessary, but many are happy to participate in to ensure every child has a Merry Christmas.
And given it’s Shadyside, taking care of and supporting the community just comes with the territory.
