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Bikes for Farmworkers volunteers are asking for adult bikes

Volunteers need bikes to repair for farmworkers when they arrive in Niagara — they rely on them for transportation.
Jane Andres
bikes-for-farmworkrs-ken-eden
Ken Eden has taken over the lead of Bikes for Farmworkers, and is looking for more bikes to repair for the workers as they arrive in Niagara.Jane Andres

The wind still has the sharp edge of winter but as soon as you step through the bright red doors at the former Virgil Public School, there’s no mistaking that spring is just around the corner!

You’ll hear lively chatter and the clatter of tools as the volunteers at Bikes for Farmworkers repair bikes in preparation for the arrival of their neighbours on the farms.

On Saturday, March 16 they will be holding their annual bike donation drop-off at 1665 Four Mile Creek Rd. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bikes for Farmworkers volunteers are in great need of adult bikes in good shape, or in need of minor repairs. The crew of 15 volunteers then repairs and puts every bike through a rigorous 50-point check list before offering them for sale for $25 to the very appreciative farmworkers.

Recognizing that transportation was a huge challenge for our migrant worker neighbours, Terry Weiner and Mark Gaudet started Bikes for Farmworkers in 2015. The highly successful program has received much positive attention in the media, including interviews with CBC. The bike repair shop manual they wrote provides a structure that can be adapted and used in any rural, agricultural community.

Ken Eden, a former fire chief of Niagara-on-the-Lake, began volunteering shortly after the founding of the organization. He was already familiar with the farm locations and understood that having a safe and reliable bicycle can be the difference between isolation and community connection.

Two years ago Eden took over the lead role of running the program, which continues now under the auspices of Gateway Community Church Outreach Program.
Bikes for Farmworkers has sold or repaired in excess of 3,000 bicycles to date, a remarkable accomplishment!

Please help to spread the word to friends, family and neighbours and keep this great community initiative moving in high gear.

Bikes can be dropped off at the bike shop at the former school on March 16 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., 1665 Four Mile Creek Rd.a in Virgil

Phone or text 278-547-7442 for more information.