(Long Island, NY) Long Islanders can put their old bicycles to good use by donating them to Pedals for Progress, a program that rescues unwanted American bicycles and sends them to communities overseas. On Saturday, May 10, from 11 am to 2 pm, members of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Long Island will accept donations of bicycles and sewing machines for their 12th annual collection at King Kulllen Shopping Center 856 Middle Country Road (Rte 25) Middle Island.
Pedals for Progress has received, processed and donated over 129,000 bicycles, 1,700 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 35 developing world countries. In many countries, having a bicycle can have a critical effect on whether or not you are able to get to a job or school; it has been found that income goes up 14 percent when a family has a bicycle. For many a sewing machine means having the possibility of making a livelihood.
Mary Myers-Bruckenstein, a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia from 1968-1970 who lives in Coram, and Rebecca Amukowa of Westbury get a donated bicycle ready to be shipped overseas at last year’s bike collection. Photo Credit: Pedals for Progress.
Pedals for Progress also promotes bicycle repair businesses in the developing world. A community owned non-profit bike store will get its first containerized cargo shipment for free (about 450 bicycles); that repair store then has to earn enough money selling the repaired bikes to pay for the next shipment.
“We see this as one way to continue to contribute,” says Kathy Williams Ging. “As a volunteer in Peru I saw firsthand what a big difference having a bicycle or sewing machine can make in someone’s life.”
Bikes should be rust free. No trikes but bikes with flat tires in need of some repair are accepted. Sewing machines is working condition are also accepted. Each person who donates also will be asked to donate $10 per bike (tax-deductible) to help defray the cost of shipping the bicycles.
Directions to King Kullen Shopping Center: LIE to Exit 68 (William Floyd Parkway) Northbound to Route 25 (Middle Country Rd) Westbound; travel 2 miles to King Kullen Shopping Center on right.
To learn more about Pedals for Progress, visit their web site at www.p4p.org. For information about the May 10th collection, call Bette Bass at 516- 606-1400 or Kathy Williams-Ging at 631-549-4873. The program is also accepting cash donations from corporate and community sponsors.
