Pedals for Progress Collection on Saturday at SBHS

This weekend, South Brunswick residents can make a big difference in a developing nation just be cleaning out the garage.  The annual Pedals for Progress program, run by some South Brunswick School District teachers, will be collecting used bicycles to be donated to developing nations and given to poor people in need of cheap transportation to get to jobs, markets and schools.  

The program also accepts donations of used sewing machines and sporting equipment to be sent to developing nations as well. 

Donations have been going strong since February, with 34 bikes, eight sewing machines, and $865 having been collected, according to Constable Elementary School second grade teacher Devon Smith.  She will be taking over coordinating the program next year for South Brunswick High School teacher Larry Witlen, who's retiring after 25 years in the district.

"Pedals for Progress can help here in South Brunswick and in developing nations," Smith said.  "Those bikes could otherwise sit in a landfill and take up space.  This takes them out of the landfills and gives people in developing countries a leg up for transportation getting to school and businesses from rural locations.  Plus it's a nonpolluting form of transportation."

The program has sent over 125,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing countries. 

Last year in South Brunswick, 145 bikes and eight sewing machines were collected and sent overseas.  Since the local donations began, South Brunswick has sent over 1,700 bikes and over 40 sewing machines to developing nations, Smith said.  The program has also raised $17,000 locally to help defray the approximately $30 to $40 per bike shipping cost.

To help with the cost of shipping, the program needs a $10 to $12 donation. With donated sporting equipment, soccer balls and cleats, any donation is appreciated. 

The drive also accepts donated spare parts for bikes like tires, chains, handle bars and seats. The donated sewing machines allow women in other countries to attend seminars to learn the trade.  At the conclusion of the seminar, they’re given the sewing machine they worked on all week as a surprise gift.

Any country with an organization who will sponsor the collection, storage and assembly of the bikes can participate in Pedals for Progress.  The donated bikes are auctioned off for a small amount, which is then used to operate a bike shop to handle repairs and maintenance. Those who can’t afford to pay for a bike can work off the fee in the bike store.  This also helps teach those who buy the bikes to fix it themselves. 

"People do have to pay a small fee because that goes back into the shops and helps to stimulate their local economy," Smith said.  "It helps people to build independence as opposed to just giving them a handout."

Receipts for tax purposes are available. For additional information, contact Smith at 732-297-2488 ext. 7626. 

Click here for more information on Pedals for Progress.