Massapequa Hosting 'Pedals for Progress' Drive in April

Do some spring cleaning and help a good cause at the 13th annual Pedals for Progress drive in Massapequa.

Set for April 18 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Massapequa Library, the drive will collect unwanted bicycles and sewing machines to send to communities overseas with the help of former Peace Corps volunteers.

“The Long Island Returned Peace Corps volunteers have been integral to the success of Pedals for Progress by effectively recycling the bicycles and sewing machines of Long Island,” said president of Pedals for Progress David Schwidenback in a statement. “Of the many organizations that collect bicycles annually, the LIRPCV collections have consistently been the most successful. Their efforts have lifted thousands of people permanently from poverty in Central America, Africa and Eastern Europe.”

With a bicycle, a family has a means of transportation to get to work and their income can increase 14 percent. A sewing machine gives a family another means of earning money.

“The donation of one bike or sewing machine can literally help put food on the table and smiles on the faces of a whole family,” said Bette Bass, who volunteered with the Peace Corps in Peru and now lives in Massapequa.

Middle Island’s Brian Richardson added, “As a volunteer in Peru I saw firsthand what a big difference having a bicycle or sewing machine can make in someone’s life.”

Bicycles should be rust free. Those that need repairs or have flat tires will be accepted. No tricycles will be accepted. Sewing machines should be in working condition.

The donations from the Massapequa drive will be sent to FIDESMA, a development foundation in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.

Donors are asked to bring an additional $10, which is tax-deductible, to offset shipping costs.

Learn more on the Pedals for Progress on their website here.

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