The 17th Annual Bike Blessing & Benefit Run for Helping Hands event took place at Mountain Christian Center, in Oakhurst California, just 15 miles south of Yosemite National Park. An estimated 200 people attended the event. We had riders come all the way from Redding, CA to Phoenix, AZ. It began with a complimentary pancake breakfast hosted by the riding group from Mountain Christian Center. The event moved to the blessing of the bikes where BFC “Rev Lloyd Bennett” gave a short Devotional before 120 bikers were prayed for and blessed by BFC Members. 115 registered for the benefit run for Helping Hands Pregnancy Center. The 34-mile run consisted of skirting the south edge of breath-taking Bass Lake then to Miller’s Landing a popular summertime hangout, returning to Mountain Christian Center. One of the run stops included the Helping Hands Center, where riders got to tour the Center.
That afternoon back at the Church 160 people enjoyed a cheeseburger lunch donated by Frosty’s, an out of this world burger joint located in Coarsegold, CA. Praise God – the owner is a BFC hang around… God’s provision! There was five tables full of raffle items, six tables with silent auction items that included a 13-person barge rental donated by Miller’s Landing, custom made wooden flags, Dixxon & Harley-Davison apparel, BFC Support Gear, etc. The auction brought in $2,300. The music was DJ’d by our own BFC Rick “Lowboy” Flores (the guy has a fabulous voice). We had some vendors, and a 50/50 (the lucky winner won $255). We also had 10 entries for the Bike Show for those that wanted to show their rides. Special prizes were given to the longest distance, youngest and oldest rider. Other prizes given out were a free drawing for those that registered for the run and to the folks with highest & lowest hand.
The event is getting bigger each year. The event raises funds for Helping Hands parenting and pregnancy center. They are a Christian based pro-life organization with many different services such as Free Pregnancy Tests, counseling, parenting classes, and much more. Parents earn “Baby Bucks” when they attend classes – and they can use them in the “Baby Boutique” to purchase diapers, baby wipes, clothing, and other items for their babies. The parenting classes teach vital parenting skills that help to benefit future generations. All the services at HELPING HANDS are FREE. They rely completely on donated funds and the funds raised by events, such as this BIKE BLESSING and RUN. Helping Hands has been serving the Oakhurst community for 26 years and the Mariposa community for 10 years. Jill Althizer is the Executive Director. This BFC Central Sierra chapter was able to bless H.H. with a check for $ 7,000.00! The same as last year. We will be doing this every year on the first Saturday in June so mark your calendars and come on out. We hope to see you Lord willing in 2025!
The Helping Hands Parenting and Pregnancy Center’s phone number is: 559-641-6800.
Love and Respect,
BFC Central Sierra, CA. Chapter
