Photo by TERRI WATTS

L-R: Nadine Shireman and Susan Sahlberg are keeping the heartwarming Tree of Joy tradition alive to help folks in our community. 

The Tree of Joy is a local program that grants wishes, in the form of Christmas gifts, for Harney County residents in need.

Nadine (Sahlberg) Shireman and her mother, Susan Sahlberg, began leading the program after seeing an ad in the Burns Times-Herald looking for an organization or individual to continue this heartwarming holiday tradition. 

That was nine years ago, and the mother-and-daughter team say they don’t regret their decision in the least. They aren’t planning to pass the reigns anytime soon.

Although they get some referrals from Burns Elks Lodge No. 1680 and the Operation Harney County program, most of the individuals who have tags on the Tree of Joy have reached out to Shireman and Sahlberg.

To be considered for the Tree of Joy, an applicant needs to complete and return an application yearly, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1. The program serves community members ages 17 and younger as well as 65 and older. 

The applications are reviewed, and a list of qualified individuals is chosen. Next, tags listing the applicants’ three wishes are placed on Tree of Joy trees throughout the Burns-Hines community. This year, trees are located at Ericksons Thriftway, Les Schwab Tire Center, Big R, and Dollar General.

Community members can take tags from the trees and fulfill the wishes as best they can. 

If you take a tag from a Tree of Joy tree, please return it with the gifts that you purchased to Shireman’s home at 182 N. Harney in Burns by Dec. 20. 

Shireman and Sahlberg will wrap the gifts and distribute them at Shireman’s home on Dec. 20. 

This holiday tradition is funded solely through donations. It would not be possible without the help of the kind, generous people in this community.