Youths seek bicycle donations to help those in need
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| The Story Riders at the Willston Center. |
Do you have an old bicycle gathering dust in your basement? Youths in the Story Riders program at the Willston Community Center
are collecting gently used bikes and spare parts through a partnership with the
Bikes for the World organization.
are collecting gently used bikes and spare parts through a partnership with the
Bikes for the World organization.
The Story Riders are hosting a bike drive Saturday, Oct. 21,
10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Willston Center, 6131 Willston Drive, in Seven Corners.
10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Willston Center, 6131 Willston Drive, in Seven Corners.
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| The kids of the Story Riders program. |
Bikes for the World, a local non-profit organization, will give the bicycles to new owners throughout the world. The group focuses on providing bikes in areas of significant need where just having access to a bicycle
can enable individuals to maintain gainful employment, go to school, and have greater access to healthcare.
can enable individuals to maintain gainful employment, go to school, and have greater access to healthcare.
A
suggested donation of $10 per bicycle is requested from the donors to help
offset shipping costs, but it is not a requirement.
suggested donation of $10 per bicycle is requested from the donors to help
offset shipping costs, but it is not a requirement.
The 10-week
afterschool Story Riders program, serving 23 English language learners ages
9-14, combines bike riding and maintenance with literacy and communication
skills.
afterschool Story Riders program, serving 23 English language learners ages
9-14, combines bike riding and maintenance with literacy and communication
skills.
The youths not only
learn about riding safety and bicycle upkeep, they also take part in
bike outings and use the experience to fuel their vocabulary development and
storytelling skills. They are learning to ask questions, take notes, and
transform ideas into creative stories that will be compiled into a book
chronicling their bicycling adventures.
learn about riding safety and bicycle upkeep, they also take part in
bike outings and use the experience to fuel their vocabulary development and
storytelling skills. They are learning to ask questions, take notes, and
transform ideas into creative stories that will be compiled into a book
chronicling their bicycling adventures.
The program is
supported by Phoenix Bikes, Bikenetic Bike Shop, and the Falls Church Anglican Church, as well as Bikes for the World.
supported by Phoenix Bikes, Bikenetic Bike Shop, and the Falls Church Anglican Church, as well as Bikes for the World.
“In addition to
enhancing physical activity and literacy, another focus for our program is
community involvement and leadership,” said Laylan Salih with the Fairfax
County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “The Story Riders
planned, promoted, and worked with community partners to develop the Oct. 21 bicycle
recycling and donation event to benefit other individuals, young and old, both in
nearby communities and throughout the world.”
