Bucks Rotarians Rolling Out Fall Bike, Sewing Machine Collection Drive

NEWTOWN, PA — In the United States, used bicycles and sewing machines are a dime a dozen. But in an impoverished village in Africa or Latin America, they can be an economic game changer.

A bicycle and a sewing machine have the power to literally lift a family out of poverty, said Alan Schultz, the president of Pedals for Progress, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that rescues bicycles and sewing machines forgotten in garages, basements and sheds and ships them to developing countries where they are put to work powering local economies.

This fall, Schultz's organization will again be teaming up with the Newtown Rotary Club in Bucks County to hold a fall collection drive, which is set for Saturday, Oct. 17 in the parking lot of Olde St. Andrew's Church at 135 South Sycamore Street in Newtown.

Since the club launched its first collection 24 years ago, the club has collected thousands of used bicycles, according to Rotarian Dr. Jerry Agasar, who has chaired the drive for the past quarter of a century. “I never thought it would be this amazing.”

Right now, according to Pedals for Progress, millions in third world nations are stuck in an unending cycle of poverty that could be reversed with a simple donation of a bicycle or sewing machine.

That’s where Pedals for Progress step in.

P4P collects donated bikes and sewing machines, reconditions them and delivers them to villages in developing third world countries where they are used to transform lives.

Schultz said every family that receives a bike or a sewing machine is lifted out of poverty permanently.

“With a bicycle they can move five times more and push that product to the road faster,” said Schultz. “If you can fundamentally change the movement of goods and services, you have economic growth,” he said.

“And with a sewing machine, they can create their own business. I was just in Tanzania and I met a woman who was able to put all four of her children through school because of her sewing machine,” said Schultz.

To make it all happen, P4P relies on support from organizations like the Newtown Rotary Club, which has teamed up with Pedals for Progress for nearly a quarter of a century to collect bikes and sewing machines.

Donated used adult and children’s bikes in repairable condition can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., rain or shine. In addition, working portable sewing machines will also be accepted. Bikes parts, disassembled bikes and rusted bikes cannot be accepted.

Community members are encouraged to donate:

• Adult and children's bicycles (2 wheels only) in repairable condition – no rust please
• Portable sewing machines in working or repairable condition
• Monetary contributions to help offset transporting and shipping costs

The club is requesting a $20 monetary contribution with each donated bicycle or portable sewing machine to help cover transportation and shipping expenses. Donations are tax deductible, and receipts are available.

More Than a Collection — An Invitation to Serve

For Newtown Rotary, the annual collection represents Rotary's commitment to service both close to home and around the world.

The collection is also an opportunity to meet members of the Rotary Club of Newtown and learn how Rotary serves Bucks County and communities around the world.

Newtown Rotary brings together people who want to make a meaningful difference through hands-on service, philanthropy, community partnerships, youth programs, and international initiatives. Members contribute their time and talents in ways that fit their interests and schedules.

Community members interested in service, connection and making an impact are invited to stop, meet local Rotarians, and discover what Rotary is all about.

Event Details

What: Newtown Rotary Pedals for Progress Bicycle & Sewing Machine Collection
When: Saturday, October 17
Time: 9 am to noon
Where: Olde Church of Saint Andrew parking lot, 135 S Sycamore St, Newtown 18940
Donations: Repairable bicycles and portable sewing machines; monetary contributions toward shipping costs are also requested.

For information about the collection or the Rotary Club of Newtown, visit the Newtown Rotary website or contact the club at newtown.rotary.pa@gmail.com or 215-275-4925.