This CT group has collected 725 bikes and 350 sewing machines. Here’s why the need more.

Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant
·2 min read

Pedals for Progress/Sewing Peace is holding a used bike and sewing machine collection Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Memorial United Methodist Church in Avon.

The organization collects and ships bicycles and sewing machines to shipped to developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe.

“Bikes provide reliable transportation for commuting to work, transporting products to market, and greater mobility to access health care and other services,” according to the organization.

“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.”

To date, about 166,500 bicycles and 6,200 sewing machines have been shipped to developing countries.

Bikes in these regions are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to working adults.

This will mark the church’s 9th collection since 2008 and during that time it has collected about 725 bikes and 350 sewing machines.

Anyone with an adult or child’s bicycle in repairable condition can donate a bike, as well as working portable sewing machines or those removed from their cabinets with the foot or knee pedal, and sewing notions. No fabric is accepted.

Bikes and sewing machines can be dropped rain or shine at the church, 867 W. Avon Road.

It costs on average $52 to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle. A donation toward shipping costs is necessary for success so it suggests a donation of $20 per bike and sewing machine.

All cash and material donations are fully deductible and a receipt will be provided.

Brochures explaining the program will be available at the collection site.

For detailed information about our overseas projects and a current schedule of bicycle and sewing machine collections, visit the website at www.p4p.org.

For more information, contact Anne Fitzgerald at afitzgerald138@gmail.com.