Christ Church Outreach News: September 24, 2026
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Calls for Donations of Used Bikes at Howard County Fire Stations on Saturday, Oct. 3
Please help Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland (FB4K) prepare for its 2026 drive to gather, refurbish, and give away bikes to families who cannot afford to buy new ones. Many children will see Christmas wishes come true after FB4K's holiday distribution. Find updates on its Facebook page.
Donate your used child- or adult-sized bikes during FB4K’s annual collection day: Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at any Howard County fire station. Spread the word among friends and neighbors. Go online to sign up to help on collection day by unloading bikes. After that, consider volunteering to help fix the bikes in time for the holidays.
This year, Prologis, a supporting company, has provided warehouse space at 6680 Business Parkway, Elkridge, Md., where FB4K has already begun refurbishing about 2,200 used bikes collected earlier in the year. FB4K hopes to gather 1,000 more at firehouses on Oct. 3.
FB4K will give them away to local children in need by responding to applications from nonprofit organizations. Since 2019, FB4K has distributed 15,408 bikes. FB4K posted: “Help a child ride into a happier, healthier, more independent life!”
Friends of Sabina Seeks a 2027 Sponsor to Help 15-year-old Geofrey Achieve His Aspirations of One Day Becoming a Doctor
Leaders of the nonprofit, Friends of Sabina (FOS), are seeking a new sponsor for 15-year-old Geofrey, who has nine siblings. His father is deceased and his mother earns a small income making mats and working on farms.
“Geofrey is a bright, hardworking, and ambitious boy who performs well in class,” according to FOS, which began shepherding him as a student at Sabina Boarding Primary School in Sanje, Uganda, and continues to follow his progress in secondary school. Geofrey’s favorite subject is Biology, and his favorite hobby is football (soccer).
A sponsor would commit to fund an annual scholarship, beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, which, for a secondary-level student such as Geofrey, is $1,150 a year. The fee is tax-deductible. Co-sponsors are welcome for $575 each.
Either way, one goal is to form relationships, like family across the miles. FOS strengthens that bond through letter exchanges and occasional video calls. And once a year, Christ Church enables parishioners to chat with their sponsored students during a hybrid meetup that resembles a heartwarming family reunion on Zoom.
On Sunday, Aug. 9, nearly a dozen parishioners attended in person or virtually to hear about progress at the primary school and interact with sponsored students. A few teens connected from their Ugandan secondary schools. One highlight involved Sandra, an older student who discussed her experiences during a teaching internship with preschoolers at Sabina.
Watch a video recording of the 2026 FOS session at this YouTube link. Go here to see preschoolers showing off their skills. Go here for comments by FOS Sponsorship Coordinator Deborah Nakiduuli, followed by parishioner interactions with Sandra and her sponsor, Paula Rees.
The back-and-forth concludes at 1:40:35, with comments by FOS co-director Ann Marie Davis, who joined virtually from London. “It’s so beautiful to see the relationships, wherever we are in the world, come together….We’re very excited about the school's development, and we want to keep our doors open and be as open and transparent to all of you, because we are blessed by all of your friendships, love, and prayers. We’re just so grateful.”
Christ Church has supported Sabina for nearly two decades; read about the most recent donation in the Outreach Blog of Aug. 6, 2026. The Outreach Commission began facilitating sponsorships in 2020, as described on the FOS page of the Christ Church website. For information about becoming a sponsor, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC
Since 1976, FISH, an all-volunteer organization has aided tens of thousands of Howard County residents facing hard times. Delivery of food, staples and hygiene supplies are handled by Columbia Community Care (CCC), which merged pantries with FISH last year. CCC delivers food to Howard County residents and distributes it at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help.
FISH picks up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar baskets or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial support because the personal touch matters when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!
Join Us for a Bike Ride that Supports a Great Cause - October 2
Ride4Refuge Columbia is a community bike ride on Friday, October 2, 2026 (Rain Date: October 9), where neighbors, congregations, and Global Refuge supporters will come together to ride 10, 20, or 30 miles in support of the Baltimore Welcome Center. In honor of Global Refuge’s 87th anniversary, riders are working together to raise $87,000 to welcome immigrant and refugee families with compassion, dignity, and practical support.
WHERE IS IT?
The ride starts at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church - 6800 Oakland Mills Drive, Columbia, 21045. Sign-in starts at 9:30. This is an out-and-back ride, mostly on Columbia's safe and beautiful bike paths, though riders may choose shorter distances on the day of the ride. There will be a celebration and lunch at the end of the ride, back at the church.
HOW CAN I REGISTER?
Riders can register for the ride using the rider registration form link here. Please share this with your riding friends! All riders must wear a helmet, bring their own water bottles, and sign a waiver on the day of the ride. All riders are expected to fundraise toward the $87,000 goal and mobilize folks who aren't riding to donate to Global Refuge to support this effort.
YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING PAGE!
Riders may create their own fundraising page to invite their friends and family to help turn every mile into a meaningful welcome to new neighbors. If you'd prefer not to ride, we hope you'll consider donating to support this important work. The general fundraising page is here, and this YouTube video shows how to create your own. If you can’t ride with us on the day of the ride, we can provide you with the ride map and directions for you to ride any time from September 26 to October 9. Please register with the link above and use the comment/question box to let us know when you plan to ride so you can receive the cue sheet.
VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME, TOO!
If you are interested in volunteering the day of the ride, please use this link.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
