CHARLOTTE — Thousands of bikers were revving up their engines in Charlotte at the Billy Graham Library. They were also getting revved up to help others.
“I’m a school teacher and so knowing that these boxes will get into the hands of children and possibly change their life and come to know Christ, that’s the main reason for all of this,” said Jodie Brown, one of the bikers at Saturday’s event.
Bikers across the South have donated these boxes to help children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. It’s an impact Olivia Young knows personally.
“I was actually a shoebox recipient when I was 12 years old living in a Romanian orphanage. I longed to be loved and I’ve always wanted to have my very own set of hairclips, and that day, I got everything I needed in life. I got my very own set of hairclips, and not just that, but I was able to learn about God’s love,” said Young.
Debbie Dean drove roughly 300 miles just to drop off boxes filled with items.
“I think it’s an awesome opportunity to help children and show that you can be of service to Jesus through helping children,” said Dean.
By 2 p.m. Saturday at the Billy Graham Library, “Bikers with Boxes” and “Operation Christmas Child” had already collected 5,000 boxes and there were more than 1,300 bikers.
“These shoeboxes will go all around the world,” said Sonya Johnson of the Billy Graham Library.
“Every year is a record breaking year. This year was no different — 5,436 shoebox gifts, that means 5,436 lives forever changed,” said Keith Burney, the Regional Director of the Carolinas for “Operation Christmas Child.”
They are lives impacted just like Young’s life.
Here are some videos from this year’s and last year’s event!
