It’s hard to fully appreciate just how impactful Operation Christmas Child is. While most of us realize that those small boxes we pack are bound for a child on the other side of the world, it’s not always obvious just how many other people are packing and sending boxes.

But a quick look at the numbers underscores just how big of an effort this is. Since the project began, more than 140 million shoeboxes have been delivered to more than 150 countries and territories. If you were to stack those boxes, it would reach more than 12,500 miles high. Or to look at it another way, if you lined those boxes up end to end it would cover more than 25,000 miles. The circumference of the earth at the equator is about 25,000 miles. That’s a lot of gift-filled shoeboxes.

And the great thing about this effort is that people right here in Lincoln County can add to that total. Churches have already begun filling boxes and encouraging members to do the same.

It’s not just churches who participate. Schools, organizations, businesses and individuals also pack boxes. Any kind of shoebox can be used — plastic or cardboard. The boxes will be delivered to girls and boys age 2 to 14. Boxes should be marked with the sex and age of the intended recipient. A $9 donation for shipping is requested and the money can be placed in the box.

All local boxes will be collected at First Baptist Brookhaven. FBC will accept boxes during business hours — 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — starting Monday. They’ll collect through Nov. 17, said Connie Hodges, who helps organize the event.

Walmart picks up the boxes from FBC and takes them to Southwest Community College in Summit. From there the boxes from Southwest Mississippi will head to Atlanta, Georgia. And from there they will travel the globe.

We encourage everyone to take part in this worldwide effort. Not only will children receive a gift this Christmas season, they will also learn of God’s gift of salvation.