STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Families in need in northeastern Pennsylvania and families in North Carolina who were victims of this year's hurricane will still have a magical holiday thanks to a local organization.
Operation Christmas Wish had the biggest gift-giving event in its 12-year history, giving gifts to local children at Stroudsmoor Terraview Inn, along with dinner for the families.
The organization gave gifts to 110 children and will be shipping gifts to another 30 children in North Carolina.
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"We get the families through the school system, through being a police officer, finding the families through Children and Youth. We get them sometimes through Facebook recommendations So basically they come to us, all walks of life you know just having a really bad year and we're gonna give an amazing Christmas," said Stroud Area Regional Police Officer Organizer Chris Shelly.
"I mean, having my brother remembered this way, it takes the heartache away a little bit, but it really is the true meaning of Christmas," said Jeff Olsen's sister Patty Muller.
Operation Christmas Wish was formed in 2012 in honor of Officer Jeff Olsen who passed away in 2007.
It grew to become a gift-giving organization for families in need.
