FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The 2019 Bicycle Man Giveaway gave children 1,500 reasons to smile on Saturday.

• The Bicycle Man Giveaway was started by Moses Mathis as a way to give bicycles to children who may not otherwise have a Christmas
• The giveaway is now organized by Moses's wife Ann 
• Moses passed away in 2013

That's how many bikes were distributed to children for Christmas as Ann Mathis continued the legacy of her late husband, Moses Mathis.

The now annual giveaway started almost 30 years ago when Moses began collecting bikes for kids and giving them to children who might otherwise not get anything for Christmas.

Before he died in 2013, Ann Mathis made a vow to continue her husband's life's work. And she has done that.

"Because it's not easy. It is not easy at all. It's a struggle but... but I do it because I love doing it. Not because I need to or have to. I love seeing kids smile," Ann said.

Several different agencies donated bikes for the event.

It takes roughly 10 straight months to make this event happen, Ann says, and so, as she has done for the last 6 years, she will now embark on a two month vacation.

Ann says she will start working on the 2020 Bicycle Man Giveaway in February.