(above) Repaired and processed bikes are ready for placement on the P4P truck.
Faith Lutheran Collects 170 Bikes for Pedals for Progress
Submitted by Larry Holt
Within a month, Faith Lutheran in New Providence, led by members Casey Walsh of Bridgewater, Cliff Auchter of Berkeley Heights and Ralph Adamson of Warren collected 170 used bikes from New Providence, Berkeley Heights, other Union County towns and Succasunna. The collection was conducted on behalf of Pedals for Progress, an organization which annually recycles bikes for persons in developing countries.
The effort culminated on Saturday, June 20, when twelve members, in the parking lot of Faith, repaired and processed the 170 bikes for shipment.
During the past thirty years, Pedals for Progress has collected 172,000 bicycles and shipped this material wealth to persons of the developing countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa. In these countries, the bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed at low cost to poor working adults. The bikes provide the adults with reliable transportation for commuting to work, transporting produce to market as well as accessing health care and other services. Steady employment for adults is vital to the development and success of struggling communities.
The 170 bicycles will be shipped to Thailand. Faith has contributed $1,700 toward the shipment.
Since 2002, Faith Lutheran has been collecting bikes for Pedals for Progress. Casey Walsh has chaired this ministry since 2016. The pastor of Faith is Rev. Jane McCready. Faith is located at 524 South Street. Visit online at famfaith.org or reach by phone at 908-464-5177.
(above) Alana Lamberti of Faith repairs a bike for shipment.
(above) Bikes filled the P4P truck to capacity.
