With compassion and commitment, she continues to share her blessings with those less fortunate. Fantastic vision and impressive talent have Upper St. Clair resident Susan Castriota giving back during the biggest holiday season of the year.

From architecture (the first girl to complete Upper St. Clair High School's architecture class) to fashion to drawing and painting, for more than 20 years Susan has help to raise funds for those in need.

Depicting the Pittsburgh skyline, in just nine years her note cards have helped raise more than $350,000 for the local chapter of the American Heart Association. As a fundraiser for New York City firefighters and policemen after the 9/11 tragedy, Susan designed note cards illustrated with the Statue of Liberty and Old Glory and personally delivered them to Mayor Giuliani.

Having a love for animals, Susan's charity of choice for the 2009 Christmas season is Washington Area Humane Society. This year's fundraiser features two ornaments, a shelter dog and cat, rich in seasonal design. The double-sided, full-color, glazed porcelain ornaments are complete with a ribbon hanger. And 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the local shelter in Eighty Four.

Additional ornaments soon to be available from Susan are the Pittsburgh Creche at USX Plaza and the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities.

Featuring pen and ink sketches, Susan's much sought-after annual calendar will celebrate it's 21st year with the 2010 edition.

Susan's designs are created freehand, first in pen and ink. The next step is to embellish the scene with color pencils, watercolors or acrylics. The picture is then scanned and ready for placement. Her award-winning art has been recognized around the USA.

For the 2008 holiday season, Susan received a request to create a glass ornament to hang in the White House among ornaments designed by other artists. Featuring four landmarks, the Incline, Ligonier Diamond, Upper St. Clair Log House and a Red Covered Bridge, Susan's exquisite holiday creation was placed on a Christmas tree in the Blue Room. Susan and her husband were also guests at a White House reception, providing the opportunity to meet artists from across the United States. Earlier, her renditions of the White House captured the attention of First Lady Barbara Bush and Susan's greeting cards were sold in the White House Historical Society gift shop.

"My focus for 2010 is a children's book with illustrations of my 4-year-old poodle, Wilson," continued Susan. "I adopted him from a shelter in Latrobe after a local woman died and her spouse moved to a nursing home. My focus will be how pets can suddenly need a new, loving home."

Ornaments are available at the animal shelter on Route 136, online at www.washingtonpashelter.org or by calling 724-222-7387.

To reach Susan Castriota, call 412-833-7556.