On Saturday, Oct.19, hundreds of bikers traveled to the Billy Graham Library for the 12th annual Bikers with Boxes. The event invites bikers to collect gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child – a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Many of the bikers have attended this event for several years, making the most of this opportunity to meet up with friends. A total of 832 bikers brought 5,788 shoeboxes, totaling about seven boxes per biker.

Each box is carefully packed with items meant to bring children joy and share the love of God with them. Gifts range from crayons and coloring books to soccer balls and other toys.

Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham, sends these boxes around the world to children in need. During distribution, the children hear about the love that God has for them.

At Bikers with Boxes, the Library offered a complimentary lunch, giveaways, and live music to everyone who participated. Tours of The Journey of Faith were also given, where guests can glimpse into the history behind the personal and public life of Rev. Billy Graham and see how God used a farm boy from North Carolina to share the love of Christ around the world.

Yuliya Shubina, a recipient of a shoebox when she was a 9-year-old living in Central Asia, spoke to the attendees. Shubina now volunteers with Operation Christmas Child.

For more information about upcoming events at the Billy Graham Library, including a book signing with Southwest Airlines captain Tammie Jo Schults, visit www.BillyGrahamLibrary.org.

If you would like more information about these, or other, ministries of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, please contact media@billygraham.org. Complete press releases from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are available at media.billygraham.org.