Did you know that today marks 100 days until Christmas? And just 4 weeks until our kick-off to the holiday season with the 7th annual Bikers with Boxes.

Each year the Billy Graham Library hosts hundreds of motorcyclists as they ride for a cause near to their hearts and ours – Operation Christmas Child. As a drop off location for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child annual shoebox collection, the Library is honored to play a small role in delivering Christmas to children around the world who otherwise might do without. Each box – meticulously packed and prayed over ­– often provides joy to the recipient and shows the love of Christ through the simple act of a gift.

In his book, Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts, Franklin Graham shares a story about the Billy Graham Library’s Bikers with Boxes event.

My ears are always listening for a rumble. I love motorcycles and I love their roar.

So when I heard about bikers collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, I just had to invite them to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. And they came.

These bikers roared through the gates with trailers hooked to the backs of their bikes. Following close behind was a truck carrying the cartons that were too big for the motorcycles . . . More than eight hundred and fifty riders rumbled into the parking lot, and what emerged from that sea of chrome and leather was nearly fifteen hundred boxes.

Many ask, “Why a shoebox?” Try this on for size: “How beautiful . . . are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tiding of good things, who proclaims salvation” (Isaiah 52:7).

Through a simple shoebox, you can send good news – the Gospel of Jesus Christ – to a little one who may have never heard His name.

This year the annual Bikers with Boxes will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18. To find out more about participating in this year’s ride visit: www.billygrahamlibrary.org/events.

Want to pack your own box? You can find a full list of ideas for items to pack on the Operation Christmas Child website.