Ten-year-old Tracy McFarland was riding his bicycle on Beechmont Avenue on a sweltering Saturday afternoon when a stranger handed him an ice-cold soda pop.

Tracy McFarland, 10, of the East End got a free can of Coke. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Tracy, who is from the East End, said the folks from Mount Washington Baptist Church who gave him the free soda were “pretty nice.” Volunteers from the church gave away 1,000 cold drinks to passerbys from noon to 2 p.m. as part of the “Biggest Softdrink Giveaway Ever.”

        About 260 Greater Cincinnati congregations participated in the giveaway of an estimated 300,000 drinks as a prelude to the Billy Graham Mission, June 27-30.

        People passing by the “Free Soda” stands on foot, bike or car received a drink and a card with the message, “Hope this small gift brings some light to your day.” The drinks were the right tonic on another sticky day with a high temperature of 89.

        Organizers said the giveaway was a non-confrontational way for churches to share their faith.

        “I'm not trying to hit them over the head with a Bible or anything,” said Mark Kjeldsen, 14, of Anderson Township, as he handed out drinks.

        “It is a good way to reach out to people. And it is a hot day, so people need something to drink.”

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        Carrie Owings, the church's youth coordinator, said the giveaway was a “visible way for the kids to share their faith, and say hey, "I'm a Christian.'”

        Teresa Howard, who organized the Mount Washington church's giveaway, said about 20 volunteers passed out carbonated beverages and water.

        “I think people are going to be happy all over this city,” said Ms. Howard, while standing on the busy corner of Beechmont Avenue and Corbly Road in Mount Washington. “There's a lot of traffic.”

        The volunteers said they were warmly received. In at least one instance, someone gave the church an unsolicited donation.

        James Raifsnider, 13, of Mount Washington had never heard of Mr. Graham before receiving his soda. Once he started drinking, he said the Rev. Mr. Graham must be a pretty nice guy.

       Enquirer reporter Erica Solvig contributed.
       
       

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