WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 11, 2014 — ‘Tis the giving season and West Liberty University faculty, staff and students continued its annual tradition of a Hilltopper Giving Tree, providing gifts for children in need.

“We’ve sponsored an annual Christmas wish tree for the past 24 years. The tree gives students, faculty, staff and administrators a chance to contribute gifts to make the holidays a little brighter for area children in need,” explained Financial Aid Counselor Beth Salatino, who has worked at WLU for all 24 of those years.

“We are supporting the Children’s Home of Wheeling, St. John’s Children’s Home, and the Crittenton Services this year,” said Admissions Counselor Rhonda Tysk who also coordinates the gift gathering and has worked at WLU for 25 years.

The tree was displayed in the Enrollment Services Center, located in Shaw Hall, beginning on Nov. 20 and gathered 68 gifts over the weeks it was in place.

“Our employees and students were happy to pick a tag from the tree and make a child’s wish come true. Many of them have participated in this holiday service year after year,” said Salatino.

Each tag had a child’s name and personal Christmas wish printed on it. Participants then purchased the gift ($20 value), placed it in a gift bag, and returned the tag and gift to the Enrollment Center.

Participants also were encouraged to make a monetary donation, if they preferred. The wish tree coordinators then shopped for the gift using this donation. This year they ended up with more cash than wishes, so a pizza party also was purchased for use by St. John’s Children’s Home.

“Thank you for helping to grant these wishes,” said Salatino. “We are all so grateful for the good things we have here at West Liberty University and in our personal lives. We are happy to share.”

The gifts were packed up for delivery with the help of members of the Wheeling Park High School Varsity Football team, juniors Troy Salatino, Richard Blackwell, Sabion Johnson, Nick Nardone, Jamez Coles, Clay McDonald and Isaac Turner.