Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 2 comments Add your own | iPod friendly | Bookmark this Facebook bookmark del.icio.us bookmark StumbleUpon bookmark Digg bookmark What is this?

Bicycle Ministry seeks donations

Published Saturday, October 31, 2009

GATES, N.C. — With Christmas just around the corner, it breaks Jacklyn Phillips’ heart to see a child do without.

Phillips, who has made her mark on the local community and around the world with her Bicycle Ministry, is soliciting donations from the public in an effort to continue the tradition.

Those wanting to make a donation should contact Phillips at 252-357-2295.

Through the years, the Bicycle Ministry has repaired used bicycles and donated them to local children as well as youngsters in Zambia, Nicaragua and Cambodia. A few of the bikes have been sent to missionaries in Zambia. According to Phillips, they come in handy when a missionary is visiting AIDS victims who may be located five or six miles away. Not only do the bikes provide transportation for the missionaries, but they could potentially save a life, as well.

“Before our first bicycles arrived, the missionaries would have to pick-up a sick child in their arms and walk them to the nearest medical facility,” Phillips said. “The bicycles helped to transport those children.”

A few years ago, Phillips tackled a “four-wheel” project. She secured a used ambulance, donated by Bertie Ambulance Service, and had it shipped overseas, with the assistance of the World Vision organization, to aid the missionaries in their work with AIDS patients.

Phillips began her ministry more than 10 years ago, after hearing the story of a Virginia man who worked two jobs to buy his children bicycles, only to have them stolen. At that point, Phillips decided to start an organization to provide bikes to needy children.

Phillips estimates that nearly 2,000 bicycles have been sent (with the help of organizations like World Vision and The Angel Tree) from the Bicycle Ministry to children around the world, as well as those in the Roanoke-Chowan area and southside Virginia.


WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

Bookmark and Share

Comments

Posted by steinertc (anonymous) on November 1, 2009 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NIce, lets feed and clothe the world too. Lets make AMERICA 1st priority.

Posted by Suffolk64 (anonymous) on November 2, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I so completely agree "steinertc". Our own people are in need right here in the US and so many people focus on people in other places. Why is this? I have just never understood it. I realize we have a need to help others but we need to start helping our people in the US before we help others. All the money that is being raised to send Bug nets to Africa and other goods could be used right here to help people our own people.

Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)

(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:



advanced search

© 2009 The Suffolk News-Herald All rights reserved.
A Boone Newspapers Inc. publication.
Our stories are also posted on www.HeadlineVa.com.

Contact us