Hello friends, 

Thanks for checking out my Bikes Not Bombs Bike-A-Thon fundraising page!

Bikes Not Bombs is a Boston-based nonprofit with a mission to "use the bicycle as a vehicle for social change." Here's a bit of background from their website:

"Our founders started Bikes Not Bombs in 1984 as a response to United States military backing of the Contra attacks on Nicaragua. At the time, the name was literal – we brought bikes to a place the US military brought bombs. People often ask us why we still keep the name Bikes Not Bombs even though we do so many different types of work. On some level, the bombs we disarm through our work are symbolic. Our constituents in Boston and overseas face daily challenges such as: limited access to public transportation, toxic environmental conditions, street violence, and roadblocks to education and employment – so we use the bicycle to help transform their lives.  But another reason why we keep the name Bikes Not Bombs is because sometimes we have the opportunity to work with a community that has been undermined by war, violence, and fear, and we can give them the tools and skills to change their own lives with bikes."

Bikes Not Bombs now runs a host of youth programs in underresourced areas of Boston, and partners with community-based organizations in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala; El Salvador; Nairobi, Kenya; Kayonza District of Eastern Province, Rwanda; Nevis Island, St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Maarten; Ghana; and Sierra Leone. You can read more about the organization on their website: bikesnotbombs.org. My brother, David, used to work with their Boston bike shop!

I'll be riding the 50-mile Bike-A-Thon route this Saturday, 9/19. (Apologies for the late notice as I've actually just seen the updated dates and decided to ride myself!) 

If you'd like to chip in to help with BNB's fundraising -- the Bike-A-Thon is their largest annual fundraising event -- any amount is very much appreciated! This page should allow you to donate directly via the "Donate Now" button to the right or below, though of course feel free to let me know if you run into any issues. If you're not able to donate financially right now, a cheer sometime on Saturday is great as well!

Many thanks, 

Jay