Effort resident Terri Buerkle wanted to do something special this year for Christmas, something that would make a difference. So she decided to do something for the less fortunate children of the West End and she started the West End Christmas Shoebox Project.

Buerkle chose the West End Food Pantry as the recipient of her efforts. Buerkle started a Facebook page and got the word out, and it spread like a wildfire.The page, started on Nov. 23, has had more than 15,000 views to date and has attracted the attention of people like local bestselling author K.L. Randis.Randis announced last weekend that she will be donating $1,000 to be used to fill the shoeboxes.Randis’ event, the $1,000 Stuff-A-Shoebox Showdown, will take place this Saturday at the Dollar Tree on Route 209 in Brodheadsville.Starting at 1 p.m. people entering the store to fill a shoebox will be given $10 to shop for a child. Those attending the event on Saturday are encouraged to add some of their own funds to make the boxes even more special.With the Stuff-A-Shoebox Showdown, Buerkle will have 150 boxes toward her goal of 250. Anyone interested in donating a shoebox can find information on Buerkle’s Facebook page, West End Christmas Shoebox Project or call 570-234-5237. Buerkle is the mother of three grown children and one granddaughter, so she knows the importance of a child receiving something special at Christmas.Buerkle, who lives with her husband, John, in Effort, says her family is surprised at how this idea has taken off.“I don’t think anyone thought that this would be so big,” Buerkle said. “I am really shocked by all of the attention we are getting.”“The idea is to put anything that fits into a shoebox into the box,” said Beurkle.“Some people are just putting in toys, some are adding hats, socks, toothbrushes. For the older kids, body sprays, chap stick, things like that.”The boxes are divided into age groups and gender. Buerkle asks that the boxes be delivered already wrapped and marked by gender and target age.The boxes will be collected through Dec. 13 and will be handed out during the Dec. 17 distribution at the West End Food Pantry at the Eldred Township Community Center.Buerkle works as a restaurant manager at Split Rock Resort, but she wants to find the time to keep this project going throughout the year and hopes to make an even bigger impact in the years to come.