'Bicycle Man' gives away early presents in Fayetteville

Mathis, 73, accepts donated bikes throughout the year and then restores them to give to children whose families cannot afford to buy a bicycle.

Daniel Steele, 11, said he was hoping to get a BMX bike. 

"I'm looking to go off-road," Daniel said. 

Na'Kaya Ray wanted to get a pink princess bike. 

Mathis is operating out of his fourth location in the last five years. This year, he gave away bikes from his warehouse at 4428 Bragg Blvd. The area does not have a lot of parking nearby. 

"I'm very, very tired, so I'm hoping I can get a permanent place where I can continue my work," Mathis said. 

Mathis will be operating out of the Bragg Boulevard workshop until New Year's Day. He said the owner offered to lease the space to him all next year, but Mathis doesn't have enough money. 

"I'm hoping somebody who has a good heart will give me a permanent place," he said. 

Mathis set a record in 2009 when he gave away more than 1,200 bikes.