Bicycles arrive one or two at a time and grow into the dozens.
Sewing machines, some after sitting in basements for years, also stack up.
But not for long. They will soon be shipped overseas to help people.
The items, both of which have a strong second, donatable life, were dropped off behind the Colts Neck Reformed Church Sunday as part of a Pedals for Progress event.
Joseph Callaci hands a bicycle to his son Joey Callaci. They donated five bicycles and a sewing machine at a Pedals For Progress event May 2, 2021 at the Colts Neck Reformed Church.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The bicycles are headed to Rwanda to help others. “Each shipping container holds a little under 500 bicycles,” said Gary Michel, of Pedals for Progress.
They had 400 bikes packed Sunday and were hoping to collect 50 to 60, he said.
“It keeps stuff out of our landfills in this country and moves it to a country that really needs the help,” said Carol McCoy, who organized the donation at the church.
“We set up a bike shop in whatever Third World country we are shipping to, owned by nationals from that country,” said Michel.
Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The bikes are sent as is so repairs will be made in the country that receives them. “They are going to repair the bikes and we want them to sell the bikes,” Michel said.
Some will be given away but most will be sold at a very reasonable price $2, maybe $5, and that gets those guys paid. Now they have a job they help create a little economy, added Michel.
Secondly, when someone pays for a bike they have a vested interest in the bike and now they take care of it, if it breaks down, they take it back to the bike shop for repairs and it helps keep that economy rolling, Michel said.
“I had three kids bicycles taking up space in my garage,” said donator Nancy Holm. “It feels great. I have less stuff in my garage and I’m helping three people.”
Gary Michel of Pedals for Progress and Doug McCoy prepare bikes for the shipping container. Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
“Over 30 years we have shipped some 160,000 bicycles overseas,” Michel said.
Sewing machines are shipped separately. The organization started collecting and shipping them when they realized the support the same mission as bikes: they are a relatively simple way to improve economic circumstances in the developing world. That effort is called Sewing Peace.
“It’s so much fun when it all comes together to know that you helped somebody it helps so many people in different ways,” McCoy said.
Gary Michel adjusts a bicycle at the Colts Neck Reformed Church at a Pedals for Progress event May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Donated sewing machines. Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Caro McCoy moves a sewing machine. Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Mark Capriglione gets help from Carol McCoy moving a bicycle his son donated. Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Nancy Holm drops off three children’s bikes as volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Organizer Carol McCoy moves a bicycle as volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collect donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Volunteers at the Colts Neck Reformed Church collected donated bicycles and sewing machines for the charity Pedals For Progress on May 2, 2021.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com.
Originally Appeared On: https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2021/05/that-old-bike-in-your-garage-could-help-keep-an-economy-rolling-in-a-third-world-country-photos.html