POMEROY–This year, the long-standing Giving Tree Program blessed over 80 local kids through the generosity of local shoppers and cash donations.

The Giving Tree, originally started by a Clarkston US Bank employee and the Ministerial Association, offers individuals the opportunity to choose a name from the tree and shop for a child who otherwise wouldn't get much of a Christmas. The generosity of the community has grown, participation escalating each year.

Over this past year, the Pomeroy Ministerial Association felt that the new non-profit organization Pomeroy Assist could better administer this benevolence event for Pomeroy and Garfield County since it is a tax-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It also was decided to move the Giving Tree to LCCU this year because of its mission of giving back to the communities they serve.

The Pomeroy Assist Board, Roger Pedersen, Dan Lewis, Bobbi Lewis, Diane Koller, Sarah Meyers, Shelley Berglund, Kristine Hyer, Maggie Warren, and Rachel Anderson, then decided to make a change to include sibling groups instead of individuals.

In the past, gift-giving for one child proved a bit unbalanced in families with several children and to avoid leaving someone out at Christmas, gift givers were able to choose a family tag. Shoppers joyously embraced the new trend individually, and by teaming up to provide gifts for families with five to seven kids.

The Pomeroy Assist Board members are grateful for all the wonderful people at LCCU who took the applications, kept the records, made the tags for the tree, and handled the gift pickup and drop off. Their appreciation extends to all individuals and community teams who gave so abundantly to local families through donations and gifts.

Pomeroy Assist also runs the emergency housing program, the Giving Tree, Easter Baskets at Christmas, as well as other giving throughout the year. To donate to Pomeroy Assist, stop by LCCU. Any donations received go toward operating the emergency housing duplex, giving Easter Baskets to dozens of children at Easter time, and facilitating the Giving Tree at Christmas.