Editorials / Opinions

I am writing to thank Susquehanna-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the US, the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoeboxes – packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items – Susquehanna-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God's love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Samaritan's Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine.

Across 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 or by calling 717-774-1920.

Although local drop-off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 – 20, 2023, 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, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Casey Goodwin, Samaritan's Purse, Media Relations Specialist, Operation Christmas Child

Never has there been such extreme vitriol hatred in society. Name calling and violence in politics and on our streets is encouraged by many news outlets and social media.

From the moment that Donald Trump declared his presidency, the most powerful (that used to be most revered) FBI and the swamp declared war.

The FBI website boasts their Core Values. Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Leadership, Diversity, Compassion, Fairness. and Rigorous obedience to the Constitution. This highly, once respected FBI and their Marxist/socialists, associates and the left knew they were going up against a brilliant man that understood finance, government and the inner workings of the Swamp. The FBI paid one million dollars to destroy his chance to be President of the United States of America. Trump put America first, he was not politically correct and spoke his mind for what he believed was right. When will Republicans and freedom loving, honest Democrats show their integrity and investigate all illegal actions?

Instead, they pumped up an empty suit who campaigned from the basement. He had extraordinarily little to say except what was written down for him, and he could not even read that correctly. They chose for him a woman of color to show diversity, who could not garner 1% of the vote when she was running for president. For an inexplicable reason, she was assigned as border Czar but refuses to recognize what is happening at the border.

The Democrats favorite word is "equity." According to Webster, it is a state of being just and fair according to natural law or right. Then why isn't the FBI going through the places where classified government documents were discovered. Wouldn't that be equal treatment for the same illegal action President Trump was accused of? Equity and equality are unknown laws to Socialists/Marxists. Biden is attempting to make America a Socialist/Marxists nation.

Are we, as freedom loving Americans going to sit on our hands and let Biden continue to do this to America?

Sincerely,

Betty Hendsbee, Sebring, FL