As the Christmas trees are decorated and presents are put under the tree, Isabelle's Gift Shop owner Jessica Kelly hopes the community will think about those who won't get presents this year – not just the kids but the teenagers, too.

“People don't realize this is a huge need here at the high school,” said Kelly.

The Mattapoisett entrepreneur once worked for the Department of Child and Family Services and said toys often came pouring in for children. Once kids get older, however, there are few gifts for them and even fewer organizations collecting them.

So, for the ninth year Kelly has mobilized local businesses for a fundraiser that benefits underprivileged high school students at Old Rochester Regional.

The raffle brings gifts to students in December and yields a month of drawings in January. Tickets can be purchased at Isabelle's, located in the Ropewalk, 33 County Road (Route 6), in Mattapoisett. The cost is $5 for one, and $20 for five.

The raffle includes gift cards for The Inn on Shipyard Park, Flour Girls, Ying Dynasty, the Stowaway, On The Go, Nick's Pizza and Kool Kone. There are fitness classes from Boutique Fitness, Seaside Spin and Anchor Yoga; a massage from Body in Balance; a facial from Blue Salon; and gift cards from Isabelle's, Periwinkles, Exotic Nails, No Kidding, Panache, Emma Marie's Dog Grooming, the Marion General Store, the Town Wharf General Store and Eden Landscape.

Last year, the fundraiser brought in about $2,800 that resulted in 14 students receiving presents.

A group of ORR staff selected the students in need, and the gifts purchased weren't things they needed so much as something special that they wanted.

“It's meant for something that they will get excited about,” Kelly explained.

While the students names are kept confidential, as the sister-in-law of Old Rochester Regional Principal Mike Devoll, Kelly heard firsthand how much the gifts were appreciated.

“They just weren't expecting anything at all,” she said. “I feel like these kids get forgotten a lot.”

Kelly, a busy mom who runs two businesses, said she could use some help as the mostly one-woman show behind the fundraiser. She welcomes help and can be reached at her store.

“It's not hard,” she said. “It's just a little bit of time.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Isabelle's.