Community Corner
Ashburn Teen Plans Bicycle Collection to Help Developing Countries
Got an old bicycle? Consider donating during the April 21 event, and Bikes for World will ship it to someone who needs it to get to work or school.
Doing some spring cleaning in the garage?
If there's a used bike in there that needs a new home, check out the charitable bicycle collection being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Spokes, Etc. in Ashbrook Commons Plaza.
Briar Woods sophomore Michael Dillard, a volunteer at Bikes for the World, organized the event. Dillard started volunteering for Bikes for the World last year. He works at the organization’s main facility at King Farm in Rockville, MD, where volunteers ship the bikes to Third World countries.
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"I help make the bikes smaller so they will fit in the shipping containers," Dillard explained, adding that he also helps load containers for shipment and has volunteered on other donation days.
"We will take any kind of bikes, even if they are beat up,” he said. “We can take them apart and use the parts to make other bikes."
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Dillard did not know anything about bike mechanics until he started volunteering, but the organization has taught him everything he needed to know to help out.
Bikes for the World ships the bikes to organizations abroad that recondition them for people who otherwise could not afford them. The bicycles provide transportation to work, school and health clinics.
The organization suggests a $10 donation to help defray the cost of shipping. Dillard said he would provide receipts for tax purposes for any bicycle and/or monetary donation.
For further information visit bikesfortheworld.org to see how your old bicycle can help change the world.
