A couple who cares for those struggling most in our communities. A man who overcame his own struggles to help his neighbors afflicted with many of the same struggles. Firefighters and first responders who came to the aid of their communities even as their own lives and work were threatened by immense disaster. Families in Lycoming County who looked beyond our boroughs, townships and cities to help families in dire need hundreds of miles away. The staff of camp that continues a growing tradition of finding new ways of helping our region and the world.

The Williamsport Sun-Gazette is honored to continue its tradition of recognizing the contributions of noteworthy members of our communities with its “Person of the Year” coverage as the year ends.

Each year, the stories of the people of the year are inspiring — a positive note to rise above the apprehension that much of our news requires.

The staff of the Sun-Gazette pride themselves on offering our region the most comprehensive and thorough coverage of our communities — the bad and the good. As we sift each year through the court proceedings and tax increases, concerns and frustrations of constituents with how government — local, county, state and certainly federal — conducts their affairs and handles their tax dollars, we find it easy to also find the stories, right in our neighborhoods and on our streets, of people who help people.

While we believe the stories of the apprehensions and frustrations are essential to cover, we also believe these stories, uplifting and inspiring, are just as essential.

We hope to continue to bring you the full spectrum of news in 2025, and we look forward to sharing the stories of the people who may well be 2025’s finalists and “People of the Year.”