CLEARFIELD/JEFFERSON COUNTY – The residents of West Central Pennsylvania have a giant heart for children in some of the poorest ad darkest parts of the world.
In 2021, the area packed and collected 16,552 shoebox gifts during National Collection Week in November for Operation Christmas Child, the largest Christmas project of its kind.
Another 199 boxes were built online so the area, comprised of Clearfield, Jefferson and Indiana counties, collected 16,751 gifts in all and exceeded its collection goal by 1,750 shoeboxes.
Each gift-filled shoebox—packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.
“I’m incredibly overwhelmed,” expresses Karla Sunderlin, OCC Mid-Atlantic North regional area coordinator. “This area clearly has a heart for children and a strong desire to spread hope and joy throughout the world.”
The 2021 shoebox season wasn’t just about the “boxes,” but the entire experience, according to Shelly Rhoades, West Central PA area coordinator.
“Working with fellow Christians, stepping out in faith, trusting our wonderful Father and reaching out to find so many ‘other hearts’ willing to share the gospel. It was simply incredible.”
Sunderlin thanks every single shoebox packer, project leader and ministry volunteer, as well as her nine drop-off locations in West Central PA.
“There’s incredible potential for growth here amid our logistical and leadership changes that took place as part of our transition into the 2022 shoebox season.”
Sunderlin has stepped into a new ministry role as a Mid-Atlantic North regional area coordinator, overseeing three area teams within a five-county region.
Rhoades, formerly a logistics coordinator, will lead West Central PA as its new area coordinator. This area now comprises of Clearfield and Jefferson counties, while Indiana County forms its own team.
Sunderlin will support the West Central PA and Indiana County teams, as well as the Penns Valley area, which covers Blair and Cambria counties.
“Shelly is an incredible leader,” Sunderlin expresses. “She has a love for people and a great passion for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry.”
Rhoades also looks forward to 2022 as she takes another step beyond logistics to fulfill her new leadership role, and finds the people who God has led to join her team.
“If anyone is looking for a volunteer opportunity that not only will change other people’s lives, but your own as well … this is it! God is so good.”
If the calling is on your heart to serve with Operation Christmas Child in Clearfield and Jefferson counties, please contact Rhoades at 805-469-8245.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
Delivered into the hands of children through local churches, every shoebox gift is an opportunity to share about Jesus Christ and God’s love.
Since 2009, more than 26.5 million children who have received a shoebox gift have also participated in The Greatest Journey—a 12?lesson discipleship program carried out by trained, local volunteers.
Shoebox gifts are collected in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
Nearly 575,000 volunteers worldwide—with more than 270,000 of those in the United States —are involved in collecting, shipping and distributing shoebox gifts.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.