Dear Editor,

The overwhelming generosity of the people of Warren County and the surrounding area helped provide joy to children in need through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season. Over 5,450 shoeboxes collected at Pleasant Community Church in Warren were delivered to the Samaritan’s Purse processing center. Shoebox gifts from Warren, Crawford and Erie counties were then sent on to Thailand, Panama, Honduras, Equador, Colombia and Guatemala for distribution to children ages 2-14.

Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized gifts. Across the U.S., the Samaritan’s Purse project collected 10.9 million shoebox gifts in 2025. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2025, the ministry is now sending over 12.2 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 244 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Throughout Northwestern PA, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Although the Warren drop off location for shoebox gifts is closed until Nov. 16 – 23, 2026, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline. These simple gifts, packed with love, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Pam Niedhammer

Erie

Media Support, NWPA Operation Christmas Child Area Team