I've been volunteering with Bikes Not Bombs for almost three years now, and this will be my third Bike-A-Thon. In the past, I’ve completed the 100 mile route and volunteered as a sweep rider.  This year I'm participating as a rider and fundraiser; my plan is to ride the 100 mile route and fundraise $1000.

The Bike-A-Thon is Bikes Not Bombs' largest fundraiser of the year, and I'm excited to participate in it. Over the past two years, I've seen the dedication of the staff and volunteers, been inspired by the work of people in the local and overseas programs, and watched thousands of bicycles get recycled. Just last weekend we loaded a container of more than 500 bikes to the Village Bicycle Project in Ghana and Sierra Leone. These bikes will help rural people improve their access to basic resources such as education, health care, jobs and markets. This is only a small example of some of the great work that the overseas partner programs do. Bikes Not Bombs is quite an expansive nonprofit, there really is something for everyone here!