At the Thursday meeting of Hickory Rotary Club, members heard an inspiring talk from 9-year old CJ Burford. CJ plans to ride his bicycle across the USA in the fall of 2014 to raise funds and awareness for the National Children’s Cancer Center. CJ was inspired by the verse “Whatever you do, do your best, you are working for God, not man” Colossians 3:23 and he wants to inspire others too.
When CJ Burford was just 6 years old, like many little boys, he loved to ride his bike. After hearing a song on the radio and reading Colossians 3:23 from his Bible, he was inspired to ride his bike for a reason. In the past two years CJ has ridden over 1000 miles to raise over $17,000 for charities to help sick children all over the world.
In June of 2013, CJ was given the amazing opportunity to take over a
nonprofit corporation that was no longer being used. Paperwork was completed, a new board of directors was formed, and in July 2013 loveFAR was official. LoveFAR stands for “love For A Reason”.The loveFAR mission states “To ride a bike to raise money for kids who are in need or sick and to inspire others to do whatever they love to do for a reason”.
CJ has already help raise money for worthwhile causes with a number of rides including:
- Ride across North Carolina – May 2013
At age 8, CJ rode 437 miles, from Elk Park, TN to Emerald Isle, NC, in 12 days. He raised over $9,500 for Samaritan’s Purse’s Children’s Heart Project.
- Ride down the North Carolina Coast – March 2012
At age 7, CJ followed the Ports of Call Route, 315 miles, in 9 days. He raised money for Samaritan’s Purse “Turn on the Tap” Water Project.
- Ride for Ronald – November 2011
At 6 years old, CJ road 85 miles in 2 days from Winston Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC. He raised money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of both cities.
- Ride Across Forsyth County, North Carolina – August 2011
At 6 years old, CJ road 32 miles in 4 hours across home county of Forsyth. He raised nearly $5,000 to build a medical clinic in Dandora, Kenya.
To help with CJ’s country ride, donate online at http://lovefar.org or mail your check to loveFAR, PO Box 1474 Walkertown, NC 27051. Learn more at http://lovefar.org.
