Anne's Bicycles for Children (ABC) is a Moultrie,GA-based charity that was founded in 2007 by Margaret Stewart to give children in need bicycles for Christmas.These children are identified by the Victim's Advocate program and have faced some sort of domestic abuse or traumatic event in their lives. Their families oftentimes struggle to provide the kids with Christmas gifts, and we all know nothing
quite tops getting a bike from Santa on Christmas Day! If you are willing to donate to this worthy cause, please send a check to “Anne’s Bicycles for Children” at: Anne’s Bicycles for Children, C/O Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNEG), 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 220, Duluth, GA 30097. Any amount is very much appreciated and your donation will go directly towards the purchasing of the bikes for the children in South Georgia. For more information on how to get involved or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
"There is one thing you can count on in Moultrie. If you ever mention the name Anne Norman, you will get a smile. Everyone who was lucky enough to have known her will attest to that. Although she was short in stature, she made up for it in vigor and strength. Her red hair also added to that personality and zeal for life. Anne Norman was also a proud advocate for her beloved hometown, Moultrie. She loved to brag about how nice it was to grow up and live here all her life. She thrilled in giving visitors a grand tour which always included a trip to see the marble elephant on the gravesite of the circus performer who died while the circus was in town. She took pride in sharing her stories and the memories she had experienced as a young child, new mother and longtime resident of what she considered a piece of heaven in South Georgia. For as long as folks can remember, she had begun a routine that would continue throughout her life. Early every morning she would mount her small frame up on her red bicycle and take off to cruise the streets she had known and loved for years. She would go to places that had meant something to her during her life. On many of her trips she would visit the local cemetery. Here she would visit those who had gone on before her and whom she missed. You could often see her cleaning up someone’s gravesite if she thought grass or weeds were taking over. As she cruised the streets, she would often hear a horn tapping or someone shouting her name. “Miss Anne” would always smile and raise a hand in response. Unfortunately, in 2007, Moultrie lost its larger than life character, Anne Norman. As folks arrived at the First Methodist Church, they were pleased to see her bicycle on in front of the church with flowers in the basket. The only thing that was missing was the bike’s lone passenger. As Margaret Morgan Stewart was sitting at the service, she was hit with a sense that Anne Norman’s spirit should continue on in the town she loved. At that moment, the concept on Anne’s Bicycles for Children, was launched. Margaret spoke to Hugh Ward, the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Moultrie. Hugh guaranteed Margaret if she could start the foundation and raise the money, he would find the needy children. He immediately contacted Karen Ambrose of the District Attorney’s office, who said there were absolutely children in Colquitt County who seldom got a visit from Santa Claus and would love a shiny new bicycle on Christmas morning. That year, 2007, was the first year that Anne’s Bicycles gave away bicycles. The tradition has continued since then and each year, more and more children are blessed with a new bicycle or tricycle. Anne Norman is certainly smiling down on all of this. Because of her spirit the effort is more successful than ever. If you ever happen to see a child riding a bicycle in Moultrie, stop and think of Anne Norman. She more than likely was the one that helped that happen."
