Pioneer High School's Giving Tree program has marked 25 years of helping local families during the holidays.
The program was founded in the aftermath of 9/11, when a student service group was formed called Panthers Reaching Out (Pioneer PRO).
Over the years the program has helped hundreds of families and involved dozens of students.
As in recent years, the 2025 Giving Tree program accepted donations from the VFW Hendershott-Manness Post 374 and American Legion Post 737, both of Arcade, allowing PRO to help families struggling at holiday time. Advisor Louise Herrick said the program is self-funded through such generous donations.
In the photo, students Brynn Kolasinski, Ellie Edwards, and Peyton Comstock are joined by area veterans Steve Burch, Rick Mackiewicz, Dave Kellner, Jack Wright, Len Connelly, Jeff Mason, Ron Ashworth, Dave Dutton, and Mark Relyea.