Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace, in its continuing effort to recycle unwanted items properly, is having a used bike and sewing machine collection sponsored by Memorial United Methodist Church in Avon.
Anyone with an adult or child’s bicycle in repairable condition is urged to donate his or her bike to this worthy cause. We do not accept “bikes for parts” or disassembled bikes. We also accept working portable sewing machines, machines that have been removed from their cabinets with the foot or knee pedal, and sewing notions (no fabric, please).
Bikes and sewing machines (including treadles) can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, rain or shine, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 W. Avon Road, Avon.
To date, more than 156,000 bicycles and 4,400 sewing machines have been shipped to developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. In these countries, the bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to poor working adults. Bikes provide reliable transportation for commuting to work, transporting products to market, and greater mobility accessing health care and other services. Sewing machine shipments help initiate educational programs and generate income opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach for many people. Steady employment for adults is vital to the development and success of struggling communities.
It costs $45 to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle. A donation toward shipping costs is necessary for the continued success of the program; the suggested minimum is $10 per item. All cash and material donations are fully deductible and a receipt will be provided on site. Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace is a 501(c)(3) corporation and a registered charity. For more information please call Anne Fitzgerald at 860-673-1216.