How a Central City charity event helps to rescue children in war zones of eastern Africa
CENTRAL CITY ― A Somerset County organization with a long history of rescuing and caring for children from war-torn areas of Africa will host its 15th annual “Thunder in the City” motorcycle rally and fundraising event next week.
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The three-day event starts at 10 a.m. each day, from Aug. 11-13, at the Angels of East Africa headquarters, 7368 Lincoln Highway. Angels of East Africa is a nonprofit organization led by Sam Childers, aka the “Machine Gun Preacher,” who rescues trafficked children in the Sudan and Uganda regions of eastern Africa.
According to the organization’s website, Angels of East Africa operates a farm and five orphanages in the region, where they provide these rescued children with a home, food, education and medical care. Its most recent endeavor, the “Bush Kids Project,” also provides medical care to people who live in the most remote areas of northern Uganda and southern Sudan.
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What activities are planned this year?
The three-day, “Thunder in the City” motorcycle rally and charity event offers a variety of daily entertainment for all ages, including a motorcycle high-wire act, ax throwing, inflatables for kids and adults, pony rides, face painting, a rock climbing wall, vendor booths, a flea market, brewery and wine tastings, tattoos and piercings and other activities.
Live musical entertainment will be provided by Australian country rock artists Steve Grace and Aaron Partridge.
A motorcycle ride through Somerset County takes place on Saturday, with sign-ups starting at 11 a.m. and the ride beginning at 12:30 p.m. The cost of the ride includes lunch and an evening dinner at the end of the ride.
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At 10 a.m. Sunday, Childers will talk about how he started rescuing children in East Africa more than 25 years ago and what the organization does in that region today.
More information about the upcoming motorcycle rally and charity ride can be found online at aoeathunderinthecity.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Machine Gun Preacher, Angels of East Africa to host 15th annual motorcycle rally
