Kari Blass held back tears as volunteers unloaded one container after another filled with shoeboxes during the Billy Graham Library’s annual Bikers With Boxes event.
Blass brought two 26-foot trailers packed with gift-filled shoeboxes for needy children around the world. Around them, more red and green boxes appeared, strapped onto the back of arriving motorcycles.
Volunteers with Blass’ ministry in Denver, North Carolina, started collecting the Operation Christmas Child boxes back in January. During four “packing parties” held throughout the year, they filled just over 4,000 boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse outreach.
Blass said Bikers With Boxes combines two of her favorite things: motorcycles and helping people. Sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with needy children around the world is a family affair, she added.
“My 103-year-old grandmother still packs boxes,” Blass said, describing how her family members fit toys, toiletries, and clothing items in each box. They do it to show God’s love to every child who receives a shoebox.
“That’s what this is all about,” Blass said. “It breaks my heart that most of these children have nothing,” she shared, but said she’s thankful every recipient will learn about the Gospel.
As shoeboxes are distributed in other countries, children hear the Good News in their own language.
‘Life Is a Huge Blessing’
Lorena Florez and her husband, Exenhower, were standing by their bike, preparing to ride back to Gastonia, North Carolina. Her pale blue shirt with “North Carolina Strong” stood out among the black leather vests many riders wore.
Florez designed the shirt in support of the state’s mountain communities ravaged by Hurricane Helene.
“They lost so much,” she said. And not just material things, she said, referring to the tragic deaths.
This was Lorena’s first time attending Bikers With Boxes. She said it’s a blessing to help impoverished children in other parts of the world not only feel loved but ultimately let them know how they can find new life in Christ.
“We come from Colombia, South America,” she said, “so we know how families are really needy. They don’t have toys or something as simple as a pencil to write with or a Bible to find faith.”
God’s Faithfulness
Riding to Charlotte with the Crimson Crusaders motorcycle ministry, Robbie Cooke was excited for the day ahead.
Life hasn’t always been easy for this biker. Multiple challenges and obstacles years ago left him bitter toward God. Yet, in the midst of it all, he heard a sermon on God’s forgiveness and surrendered his life to Christ.
Cooke’s riding buddy on Saturday was James Herring, who has also experienced God’s faithfulness even in grief and hardship.
Saturday’s Bikers With Boxes was an opportunity for both of them to give back and share the love and compassion of God with others.
“We pray the kids will feel the love of God when they receive a box,” he said.
Will you pray for God to touch the hearts of children across the globe who receive an Operation Christmas Child shoebox?
