I am writing to thank and celebrate Kitsap Peninsula residents for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas season.

The generosity of local volunteers, families and groups from the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas was turned into nearly 12,000 shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.

Thank you to the more than 100 individuals and families of the Bremerton area who came to the community packing party that filled more than 1,200 shoeboxes. Special thanks to Phuong Phan McManamna, the local volunteer who has organized this event for the last four years. We also thank Boy Scout Troop 1539; individuals from the Mission House; members of the Brememton High School Key Club; individuals from Benedict House, and the Manette Community Church who hosted this event.

The gift-filled shoeboxes are tangible expressions of God’s love for children around the world suffering from poverty, natural disaster, war, disease and famine. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this project and for those who do so year after year. All are welcome to join us in our Operation Christmas Child Celebration at 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at North Kitsap Baptist Church, 20516 Little Valley Road NE, Poulsbo. You will hear firsthand the impact of a shoebox gift from someone who received one as a child.

It’s not too late for people to make a difference. Anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift online at samaritanspurse.org/occ. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message of hope that transforms the lives of children worldwide.

For information about volunteer opportunities, call 360-509-4338 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Tamara Henry

District coordinator

Operation Christmas Child

tamarahenryocc@gmail.com