All posts by Michael Sabrio

P4P/SP 2023 Annual Report: 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2023

Pedals for Progress, a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, empowers sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles and sewing machines from the U.S. and shipping them to motivated people in the developing world. Pedals for Progress (P4P) is a nonprofit charity incorporated under the laws of New Jersey, and registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code (EIN: 22-3122003). An eleven-member unpaid board of trustees oversees a paid staff of 2 and a network of hundreds of volunteers.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

Pedals for Progress shipped 5 containers and 3 LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments for a total of 2,161 bicycles, and 417 sewing machines, to 5 nonprofit agency partners in 5 developing countries. This brings cumulative donations shipped since 1991 to 164,932 bicycles, 6,173 sewing machines.

We concentrated our collection operations within the New York City and Philadelphia suburbs increasing our efficiency. Our bicycle and sewing machine collections were sponsored by 32 community partners in four states.

2023 Shipments

Recipients of Fiscal 2023 Bicycle Container Shipments

  1. Association Défi et Révolution de la Vie Rural (DRVR), Togo (381 bicycles and 100 sewing machines)
  2. Fundación Integral de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Oriente (FIDESMA), San Andres Ixtapa, Guatemala (913 bikes and 35 sewing machines in two shipments)
  3. P4P/Belize, Belize (867 bicycles and 120 sewing machines in two shipments)

Started the year 10/1/22 with 646 bicycles in inventory.

Ended the year 9/30/23 with 320 bicycles remaining in inventory.

2023 Total Shipped: 2,161, Total Collected: 1,835

Bicycle Shipments by Region

  Fiscal 2023 Fiscal 2022
Africa 18% 60%
Asia 0% 0%
Central America 82% 40%
Eastern Europe 0% 0%

Recipients of Fiscal 2023 Sewing Machine LCL Shipments

  1. Norbert and Friends Missions, Tanzania (72 sewing machines)
  2. Mityana Open Troop Foundation, Uganda (90 sewing machines)

Started the year 10/1/22 with 220 sewing machines in inventory.

Ended the year 9/30/23 with 221 sewing machines in inventory.

2023 Total Shipped: 417, 2023 Total Collected: 418

Sewing Machines Shipments by Region

  Fiscal 2023 Fiscal 2022
Africa 63% 78%
Asia 0% 0%
Central America 37% 22%
Eastern Europe 0% 0%

OVERSEAS PARTNERS

During the year, Pedals for Progress focused on a small number of reliable partners for the majority of our shipments.

The most critical factors in creating a sustainable, self-financing partnership are shipping costs and effective administration by our overseas partners. We currently consider 3 partnerships as sustainable, i.e., capable of paying for successive shipments. Experience has proven that when the shipping costs are at or below $15 per bike or $10 per sewing machine, with good management, this cost is low enough to sustain a self-financing partnership. Without charitable donations, grants or other funding, Pedals for Progress is limited to working primarily in Central America and the Caribbean, while Africa and Eastern Europe require subsidies to pay their higher shipping costs. Overseas distribution success is determined by per unit cost. Landlocked countries remain beyond our reach due to excessive inland transportation costs. Domestic shipping is also expensive; our domestic inland trucking costs to get shipments to port have more than doubled in the last five years.

While our primary goal is to supply environmentally sound transportation to communities and stimulate the greater movement of goods and services, our partners often generate extra funds from the bikes we ship them. These windfall funds, in turn, finance a breadth of community development activities.

Still, we are hopeful that other partner organizations, including some that did not receive bikes in 2023, will pay all or most expenses for new shipments in fiscal 2024, or subsidies will be found to initiate new programs.

Continuing Partners

  • Guatemala: Fundación Integral de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Oriente (FIDESMA), San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango
  • Tanzania: The Norbert and Friends Foundation, Arusha
  • Togo: Association Défi et Révolution de la Vie Rurale (DRVR), Vogan
  • Uganda: The Mityana Open Troop Foundation, Mityana
  • Belize: P4P/Belize, Belize City

New Partners 2023

There were no new partners to report in fiscal year 23. Special attention was given to maintain current partnerships that needed increased focus to help them regroup costs due to ripple effects of the pandemic. We are planning to open new international partnerships in fiscal year 24.

FINANCES

2023 was a good year for Pedals for Progress finances. We started fiscal 2023 in a strong financial position with a strong balance sheet. Our operating income relies on four primary income streams: cash donations with bikes and sewing machines, cash donations from the twice-annual solicitation, corporate donations, and revolving funds and fees from our international partners. Solicitations were better than previous year, with larger donations from a couple long-term supporters helping us meet our solicitation goals. Direct corporate donations have been decreasing over the past twenty years due to a focus on employee matching programs. Our sustaining international partners are expected to reimburse Pedals for Progress for the cost of containers or LCL shipments. These are categorized as “revolving funds”: the partners save income to pay for successive shipments. This category met expectations as the number of containers shipped to sustaining partners met the plan. Overall, 2023 operating income exceeded budget.

Operating expenses include four large categories: employee and officers’ compensation, shipping and packing, collections expenses, and office rent. Shipping and packing expenses were higher than expected largely due to the increased cost of shipping and fuel. Collection expenses, office rent, and all remaining minor expenses categories met expectations.

P4P in 2023 had a few extraordinary items. P4P has a conservative investment policy. 2023 was a good period for stocks, bonds, and mutual funds as they generally increased in value. These generated other income for P4P as did some of the stock donations.

Overall, 2023 exceeded financial expectations for P4P.

Balance sheet and profit and loss statements are attached.

CORPORATE DONORS

FedEx continues to deliver to New Jersey, at no cost, the bicycles collected by the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, based in Burlington, Vermont.

General Pallet, at no cost, supplies the specialized pallets required for international shipping of SP sewing machines.

Berna Construction, donated construction time of a safety railing at our new loading dock.

Davara Industrial successfully donated costs of moving our storage containers.

Kent Bikes donated bicycle parts at no cost.

Thank you to the many corporations that participate through matching gifts.

We are very thankful for the support of these organizations and the recognition they have given us.

KEY VOLUNTEERS

Pedals for Progress depends on the efforts of volunteers, several hundred of them, to publicize and work collections, prep bikes for shipping, help us warehouse bikes, and eventually load them into containers bound for our partner agencies overseas.

We would like to thank Daryl Detrick with the Warren Hills Regional HS Computer Science Club for all of their volunteer hours helping to pack outgoing shipments. A special thanks to Michael Sabrio for managing at bike collections and taking over the Webmaster duties. We thank our Tinkerers Dennis Smyth, Paul Lemaire and Mary O’Brien for their excellent work refurbishing many of the sewing machines we shipped.

We especially thank these collectors:

  • Anne Fitzgerald with Memorial United Methodist Church: 163 bikes and 83 sewing machines and for her time spent on the Board of Trustees
  • Christine Potts with St. John’s Episcopal Church: 196 bikes and 27 sewing machines
  • Jerry Agasar with the Newtown Rotary Club: 158 bikes and 30 sewing machines
  • Daryl Detrick with the Warren Hills HS Computer Science Club: 101 bikes and 39 sewing machines
  • Casey Walsh with Faith Lutheran Church: 94 bikes and 18 sewing machines
  • Martha Clarvoe and the Otsego ReUse Center: 72 bikes and 29 sewing machines and making arrangements for domestic trucking

2023 COLLECTION SPONSORS

  • First United Methodist Church Somerville, NJ
  • Westfield Rotary Club
  • St. John’s Episcopal Church
  • Livingston Rotary Club
  • Vineland Rotary Club
  • Grace Episcopal Church
  • Chester Co. Solid Waste Authority
  • Newtown Rotary Club
  • Ostego ReUse Center
  • Women’s Club of Paramus
  • Piscataway Magnet School
  • Monmouth Social Club
  • Rotary Club of the Rockaways
  • Blair Academy
  • Colts Neck Reformed Church
  • Deleware Recreation Commission
  • Bernardsville United Methodist Church
  • Warren Hills HS Computer Sci Club
  • Fair Lawn Rotary Club
  • Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Long Island
  • Rotary Club of Norristown
  • Passaic Co. Office of Solid Waste
  • Clinton Presbyterian Church
  • Rotary Club of the Palisades
  • Doylestown United Methodist Church
  • Faith Lutheran Church
  • Pedals for Progress
  • Rotary Club of Branchburg
  • Memorial United Methodist Church
  • New Dover United Methodist Church
  • First United Methodist Church
  • St. Stephens United Church of Christ

PROGRAM CHALLENGES

Pedals for Progress began the year on a strong and positive note and we were able to maintain strong financial standing. We still faced challenges stemming from rippling effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, inflation, and increased prices of gasoline and shipping.

The planned action to elect Alan Schultz as President in August 2022 to take over operations from founder David Schweidenback has been completed and Mr. Schultz was able to maintain FY23 finances, budget, and collection efforts. The burdensome salary line from FY22 has subsided and leveled out to become manageable in FY23.

The bicycles collected this year continue to be the highest quality bikes that we have ever collected. The most common brand name was Trek and we collected over 80% mountain bikes in the adult bike category. The vast majority of bikes we collected were originally sold in a bike shop for a relatively high price. P4P collected almost no lesser quality mass merchandise bikes that are sold at big box stores like Walmart. Though the quality of bikes was higher than ever, our volume was significantly down due to the pandemic. The fall collection season was successful and helped us ship the majority of our five containers for the 2023 fiscal year. Spring collections were down compared to our history but improved from the year before. As we are reliant on the success of collections to keep us financially active, we had to rely heavily on our summer solicitation to help us keep up with our added salary line and general operations.

The summer solicitation was successful, and these donations allowed us to finish off the year on a positive note and remain cash positive.

Pedals for Progress developed partnerships worldwide to diversify relationships and reduce the risk of events in one country or region negatively affecting our operations. Since reduction of transportation costs is doubtful, we are seeking sponsorships to supplement our African and other high cost partnerships. Partner programs in Central America, which have a landed cost of under $15 per bike, are successful financially and require no further subsidies to continue shipments. P4P inland partners in Eastern Europe and Africa will fail without financial support. International shipping costs in these regions run from $16 per bike on the coast to as high as $38 inland (Uganda).

Shipping the sewing machines within bicycles shipments makes the delivery of these heavy objects affordable. However, our bicycle partners need relatively few sewing machines. The challenge is to find the funding to deliver machines to small sewing programs like the Mityana Open Troop Foundation in Uganda or to get them delivered very inexpensively. Most new sewing projects require only two pallets of machines. Due to that low volume, initial shipments were previously shipped via air freight, which is very expensive. P4P developed in 2013 the capacity to ship by boat individual pallets of sewing machines at a very reasonable cost. This low-cost shipping allows us to expand our small standalone sewing machine projects globally.

GOALS FOR 2024

During fiscal 2024, Pedals for Progress plans to ship approximately 3,600 bicycles and 600 sewing machines. Collection sites where we send our personnel will be limited to the greater suburbs of New York and Philadelphia. Bicycles collected outside this region need to be delivered to our New Jersey warehouse by the collection sponsors.
Pedals for Progress challenges are financial, not supply-side driven. With more funding, we can collect significantly more bikes within our current footprint and initiate more programs internationally. Increasing production requires more staff for attending potential collections and more vehicles on the road. The operational costs of producing the bicycles and sewing machines are significant. P4P is unable to accept bicycles without an accompanying cash donation; this limits production. Most large charities do not like to give money for operational expenses, but in our case, it is the collection efforts that produce the product we deliver. In many ways, you can think of P4P as a trucking company. Every trip in the truck produces more bicycles and sewing machines, our products. These products make the difference globally by helping people in need help themselves.

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  • Jamie Acosta
  • Jerry Agasar
  • John Alexander, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
  • Daryl Detrick
  • Ann Fitzgerald
  • Richard Millhiser, Chair
  • David Schweidenback, treasurer and VP, International Programs
  • Casey Walsh
  • Andrew Williams

STAFF

  • Alan Schultz, President
  • David Schweidenback, Vice President, International Programs and Founder
  • Michael Sabrio, Webmaster
  • Robert Delghiaccio, Warehouseman
  • Otto Hintz, Warehouseman
  • Evan Vaccarella, Warehouseman
  • Joel Ortega. Warehouseman
  • Max Von Orman, Warehouseman

Further information about Pedals for Progress is available at www.p4p.org. This includes our financial statements, IRS Form 990s, and information about our 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status.

To receive our newsletters or information on how to collect bikes and/or sewing machines, contact alan@p4p.org. To request a donation of a container of bicycles or sewing machines, contact Dave at dschweidenback@gmail.com

Twenty-Five Years of Collections in Vermont

By Alan Schultz
Fall 2023 Newsletter

Twenty-five years ago, a young boy infatuated with mountain biking was reading Dirt Rag magazine and saw an article about how mountain bikes could help health care workers access remote villages in the developing world, enabling them to help more patients quickly and efficiently. His mother had lived in South Africa as a child and traveled to El Salvador throughout her life. He saw a common ground and showed her the piece. Joanne, the mother in question, sat with the thought for a year and found Pedals for Progress and reached out at just the right time.

As fate would have it, Dorsey Hogg, who had served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, had also reached out to Pedals for Progress after hearing about the organization through the Long Island Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Dorsey wanted to take a shot at running a collection. The problem was the three hundred miles between Vermont and P4P-HQ in New Jersey.

Dave Schweidenback ended up introducing Joanne and Dorsey to each other and the two Vermonters decided to join forces and take on the crazy idea of running a collection in their home state. A bit skeptical, only just finding his stride with his new non-profit, Dave was on board only if the new team would take responsibility for getting the bicycles down to New Jersey.

The two seasoned travelers view time and distance differently than most people and saw this obstacle as a mere speedbump. Through friends, family, significant others, and neighbors they assembled a small team with the common bond of spending time outside of the United States and a desire to continue to help those less fortunate. Some of the first to join included, Matt, who had also served in Botswana, Bob and Paula in Kenya, and Paul in rural Chile; the team tackled the distance between VT and NJ with ease.

First VT collection at Burlington High School, September 1999. Left to right first row: Bob Thompson, Brian Thompson, Matt Hogg, Dorsey Hogg, Unknown, Joanne Headlamp, Paul Demers. Back row: Stephan Demers.

The group came together as the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (GMRPCV) and held their first collection in 1999 at Burlington High School. The team collected a staggering 138 bikes for their very first collection! With a 26-foot U-Haul rented and ready to go, Matt drove the bicycles to New Jersey with Dorsey following in her car to give him a ride back to Vermont.

Satisfied with their efforts and a job well done, the team decided to do it again! The second year they collected 83 bikes, with Dorsey and Matt making the trip. Year three, after another 114 bikes, Paul took a shot at driving the truck down and then took a train back up to Vermont. Lightning striking three times in a row, they knew they were onto something grand, but the long drives became expensive and tiresome.

During year four, partnering with the Williston/Essex Rotary Club, the distance between VT and NJ suddenly closed. The Rotary Club had a member who handled shipping for IBM. Diligently working her magic, she found someone at FedEx to agree to ship containers at no cost on a space-available basis. The local FedEx office in Vermont has been stalwart in their support ever since, through numerous changes in branch managers and leadership. Just over twenty years later, it has developed into a tradition that has lifted the burden of logistics, while helping hundreds of people every year along the way.

Inside Mary’s barn where refurbish machines are stored during the year

With this key factor in place that offered sustainability to the project, the GMRPCV in Vermont steadily picked up the pace and grew its collection efforts year after year. They have built partnerships with local bike shops participating in bike swaps, held auxiliary collections in smaller areas to maximize their collection efforts, recruited local recycling agencies that provide important financial support, local rotary clubs, student groups, and solid waste groups that all pitch in when they can. The core team has also donated their own time and efforts to fundraising, refurbishing machines, and getting the word out about their collections and our cause through televised news appearances. It goes without saying that the list of volunteers and time spent in 25 years of collections is LONG.

VT team September, 2023

We at Pedals for Progress simply want to say thank you. Thank you to Dorsey, Joanne, and the rest of the team in Vermont that have been helping with our mission for twenty-five years. Knocking it out of the park again, for their 25th Anniversary with P4P, they collected 225 bikes and 127 sewing machines on September 23rd! With this achievement, over the twenty five years of collections, they have collected a staggering 4,900 bikes and 1150 sewing machines that have been shipped around the world. From larger cities like Tirana, Albania, to small villages in rural Togo, these items have drastically changed the lives of thousands of individuals that now have the freedom and mobility to have fair shot at life.


There are hundreds of stories to be told about the team in Vermont. Without fail, there are always a couple interesting stories that come out of each collection. Take for example this small time-capsule that was donated to them this year.

This Singer Featherweight was donated by an unknown individual at this year’s collection. The VT team checks each sewing machine and assesses its condition to help us identify machines that may need to be serviced once they get to New Jersey. Inside this inconspicuous black box there was this note.

Thank you for giving my mother’s sewing machine a new home. She served in the Woman’s Army Corp during WWII, returning home to find herself a single parent with child — me. She went on through the GI Bill to receive a master’s degree in library science in Pittsburgh and returned to Ohio to live with my grandfather and grandmother and older sister. There she oversaw the renewal of the attic into an apartment for us. She worked at the public library and made clothes for me. As time passed and her brother, his wife and three children moved in the house with us and she continued to sew — clothes for me, doll clothes for my cousins as well as costumes for our little play/performances and Halloween! This sewing machine stitched together many wonderful memories and I hope you are able to put it to good use.

We will be doing exactly that, putting this machine to good use by sending it to a partner program abroad. While this story of a sentimental machine that represents a lifetime of stories is specific to one person, the overall sentiment is still a very real theme today. We’ve reported on a multitude of women in situations like this. Whether to people displaced by war, bearing a child alone, or supporting a house full of family members, we aim to provide machines to create change. Machines like this small Singer can provide a financial bedrock through a business endeavor or simply brighten the day of a child wanting a costume. No matter what is being made, our aim is that the result is one of progress and peace.

Distribution of Sewing Machines in Arusha, Tanzania, Fall 2023

By Norbert Mbwiliza
Fall 2023 Newsletter

Date: July 7, 2023

Introduction: This development report provides an overview of the distribution process and impact assessment of sewing machines that were received from a donor for rural areas in Arusha, Tanzania.

The objective was to empower individuals in these communities, particularly women, with the means to start or expand their sewing businesses, thereby contributing to their economic and social development.

Distribution Process:

  1. Needs Assessment: Prior to the distribution, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted in collaboration with local authorities, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to identify the target beneficiaries and assess the demand for sewing machines.
  2. Selection Criteria: A set of selection criteria were established to ensure that the machines reached those who would benefit the most.
    The criteria included factors such as income level, sewing skills, and willingness to commit to using the machines for income-generating activities.
  3. Training Program: To maximize the impact of the sewing machines, a training program was developed to provide beneficiaries with basic sewing skills, machine operation, maintenance, and entrepreneurship training. Local trainers were engaged to conduct the training sessions.
  4. Distribution: The sewing machines were distributed in a transparent and equitable manner, following the selection criteria. Distribution events were organized in collaboration with local community centers or village assemblies to ensure community participation and accountability.
Created with GIMP

Impact Assessment:

  1. Economic Empowerment: The distribution of sewing machines has had a significant economic impact on the beneficiaries. Many individuals, particularly women, have been able to start their own tailoring businesses, generate income, and improve their financial stability. The machines have enabled them to offer sewing services to the community, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the local economy.
  2. Skills Development: The training provided alongside the distribution of sewing machines has enhanced the beneficiaries’ sewing skills and knowledge. They have acquired technical expertise in operating and maintaining the machines, leading to increased efficiency and quality of their work. This has also fostered a sense of self-reliance and confidence among the beneficiaries.
  3. Social Impact: The distribution of sewing machines has had positive social implications in the rural areas of Arusha. Women, in particular, have gained increased recognition and respect within their communities as entrepreneurs and providers. The improved economic conditions have also contributed to a higher standard of living, allowing families to access better education, healthcare, and other essential services.
Created with GIMP

Challenges Faced:

  1. Limited Access to Electricity: In some rural areas, access to reliable electricity remains a challenge, affecting the operation of the sewing machines. Efforts were made to address this issue by exploring alternative power sources such as solar energy or setting up community charging stations.
  2. Sustainability: Ensuring the sustainability of the sewing businesses in the long term has been a challenge. Ongoing support and mentorship programs are crucial to help the beneficiaries overcome obstacles, adapt to market demands, and expand their businesses.

Conclusion: The distribution of sewing machines in rural areas of Arusha, Tanzania, has made a significant impact on the economic empowerment and social development of the beneficiaries.

Through increased access to sewing machines and relevant training, individuals, particularly women, have been able to start their own businesses, generate income, and improve their overall well-being. Ongoing support and sustainability efforts are necessary to further strengthen the impact and create a lasting change in these communities.


President’s Message, Fall 2023 Newsletter

Dear friends,

Thank you for being part of our small circle of supporters that believe in our cause and understand the importance of providing individuals tools of personal empowerment to our friends in developing nations around the world. Many of our supporters have been interested in our cause since the very beginning in 1991 and rooting for us along the way. Whether through financial support, volunteering, or simply mentioning our cause to someone looking to donate a bike, your support goes a tremendously long way. It nurtures our incredible network of people who care for others less fortunate.

As we wrap up our fall collection season, I’ve been reflecting on the history of Pedals for Progress and the time it took to build such a wonderful network of support that spans the entire nation. Pedals for Progress was already five years underway when I was born! Over 30 years later we continue to grow and continue our commitment to our founding goals of providing people with reliable transportation to fuel economic stability in communities around the world.

This reflection comes with the success of our fall collection season. We collected enough bikes to make three shipments this fall (the third ready to be loaded very shortly) with fall collections averaging over 80 bikes per collection. I sincerely thank everyone that made this possible, from our donors to volunteers and sponsors, to our warehouse crew, we had an extremely productive collection season.

The fact that we can revisit some of our regular communities year after year and continue to retrieve bikes from behind sheds or sewing machines stowed away in basements speaks to the size of our network. Through this work, we continued to supply our oldest partners in Guatemala while also breaking new ground with programs in Albania. Sewing Peace has been thriving making several shipments of pallets worth of sewing machines to Uganda and Tanzania.

Achieving these goals depends on the collective effort we put into this endeavor. The bikes and sewing machines are out there; it’s simply up to us to organize ourselves to find them. We are not alone, so we can do exactly that. In my mind, Pedals for Progress has always been an organization of regular folks that want to do good. It’s a small-town organization with small town support, an idea that every American can understand. We have been able to come together to support people we have never met and lend a helping hand through a simple tool easily found in our own back yard.

I’d like to thank everyone again who came out to support this fall collection season. Don’t go too far, we will be collecting again come spring and your contribution can make an immediate difference. It can mean a reliable bike for a student to reach school, a sewing machine for a budding entrepreneur, or a lifeline for a family struggling to make ends meet. Your generosity fuels progress, and your belief in our cause keeps us moving forward.

Peddling Pedals

By David Schweidenback
Fall 2023 Newsletter

The Pedals for Progress Mission: To empower sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles and sewing machines from the US and shipping them to motivated people in the developing world.

Our goal is to make bicycles available in areas of the world where they did not exist or are in very short supply. In order to accomplish this goal we have to find overseas partners capable of distributing our bicycles effectively. When you bring a commodity into a marketplace, capitalism is the most effective method of distribution. Yes, we sell or our partners sell every bike sent overseas. Just because you sell something doesn’t mean you have to charge a lot. But the act of selling brings order to the act of distribution. It also brings the funds that help pay to ship the bikes overseas and run the distribution facility. Lastly human nature: people take much better care of things that they pay for.

Guatemala FIDESMA bike shopOur partner overseas needs a storefront, some mechanics, an accountant, sales people, and a manager. By selling our bikes at low cost they can still manage to employ those people and help pay shipping costs. Getting two shipments of bikes per year means that there is always work for the mechanics who need to be available for repairs down the road.

Girl riding home from school in Kosovo
Jana on her way home from school. Photo by her mom, Kristina

There is no way to individually choose who should get a bike and who shouldn’t. That is accomplished through the marketplace. It could be that the poorest of the poor might not make the best use of a bicycle. My focus has always been on working adults and children needing to go to school. In a container of bikes there are usually no two bikes alike. Consumers want to choose among the bicycles because they need the right size, color, type of bike. There is also a great difference in the quality of the bicycles. The most expensive bikes we ship can be sold at higher cost to the working middle class so those funds can be used to subsidize the lesser quality bikes that the poor can afford. Every worker mobilized increases the productivity of society and a rising economic tide does raise all boats.

Pedals for Progress is cash poor, item rich. Unfortunately, we have never been excellent at raising funds, but we excel in raising in-kind value. We collect hundreds of thousands of dollars of sewing machines and bicycles every year and transfer that wealth to the poorest countries of the world. Bikes and sewing machines generate income. So not only have we enriched our customers with the value of the items but each of those items will go on to create more revenue.

Pedals for Progress will enter its 34th year in February. We have survived the economy going up and down, the great recession, the pandemic, and the retirement of the founder. With the brilliant energetic young new leadership of Alan Schultz as President, I am confident that the organization will continue to deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars of material aid overseas annually.

Thank You Letter from P4P Belize, Fall 2023

[Editor’s Note: This year we were able to continue to supply P4P Belize with their third container of bikes, an exciting chapter as this shows the new program is finding its stride as a revolving fund program. Belize no.3 was sent on June 3, 2023 that included 428 bikes 20 Sewing machines! Here is an open letter from our friend and partner Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach.]

Dear Pedals for Progress Team,

I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of everyone at God Cares Outreach (P4P Belize), I want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication in sending containers of bicycles. Your generosity has had a profound impact on our organization and the communities we serve.

Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach

Through your continuous contributions, we have been able to establish and maintain sustainable platforms that have become the cornerstone of our operations. Your donations have enabled us to launch vital programs such as our feeding program, after-school initiatives, mobile medical services, and various humanitarian efforts. These programs have not only transformed lives but have also helped to create a brighter and more promising future for countless individuals.

Your support has also extended beyond the immediate impact of these programs. It has provided us with the financial freedom to expand our team, hiring dedicated individuals who are passionate about implementing and managing our ongoing initiatives. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without your partnership and belief in our mission.

Every bicycle you send represents more than just a mode of transportation; it symbolizes empowerment, opportunity, and hope. Your commitment to our cause has ignited a chain reaction of positive change that resonates far beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Your compassion has truly made a difference in the lives of many.

As we continue our journey, we are deeply honored to have Pedals for Progress by our side, supporting us every step of the way. Your contributions are a testament to the incredible impact that a collaborative spirit and a shared vision can achieve.

Once again, thank you for your continuous support, generosity, and belief in our mission. We look forward to a future filled with more accomplishments, growth, and positive change, all made possible by partners like you.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Derrick Pitts
Founder
God Cares Outreach

Absolute Bike Tirana 2023, Our Newest Partnership in Albania

By Absolute Bike Tirana
Fall 2023 Newsletter

[Editor’s note: This fall on October 21st 2023, we sent our first shipment to a new program, Absolute Bike Tirana, marking our 18th shipment to the region. Absolute Bike Tirana is a charitable minded bike shop founded by Valjon Pacani and Ervin Sulovari in 2019. I had the pleasure to meet Ervin when I visited Albania in August 2021, where he had spent over fifteen years with our previous partner, Ecovolis. Collaborating with Absolute Bikes Tirana was a no brainer when Valjon reached out about his new endeavor earlier this year.

Logo of Absolute Bike Tirana, AlbaniaBeyond the friendly faces, Absolute Bike is a more traditional bike shop, similar to how our partners FIDESMA operate in Guatemala. A brick-and-mortar bike shop has the capacity to make a lot of progress in an area. Having a physical storefront to supply bikes to the community creates a home base for cyclists and everyday commuters. By providing Absolute Bike with a wide range of bicycles, they can sell affordable bikes to individuals in lower income levels and name brand or specialty bikes to those who can afford them around the large city. This is a key P4P pillar as it eases our goal of establishing economic stability with an emphasis on sustainability for years to come. Absolute Bike will receive a range of quality items, enabling them to employ people in their bike shops, supply community members with affordable, environmentally friendly transportation, and also provide themselves with funding for their charitable causes and programs.

We are extremely pleased to resume shipping to Albania after a brief pause. Eastern Europe and the Balkans are under exacerbated economic strain due to world events and increased inflation. We are proud to be able to contribute tools of personal empowerment to the region giving a helping hand to folks in need.

Here is some more background information about Absolute Bike, their youthful energy, and what they aim to achieve.]

History of Absolute Bike Tirana

Absolute Bike Tirana is a program that aims to contribute sustainably to community development. It was established in 2019 by the leader Valjon Pacani and his collaborator Ervin Sulovari, after a 15-year experience in various organizations where they received awards and recognition for their maximum contributions to various social and environmental issues. The main mission is engagement and dedication to this decision-making, working in partnership with people to build a sustainable, healthy, and active community. Its goal is to provide our city with clean air by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. It is a symbol of hope and also a means to preserve nature, from which our city can benefit.

Absolute Bike Tirana, Aim and Objectives

Absolute Bike Tirana aims to raise awareness and assist the needs of residents seeking access to transportation. It is an effort to increase social, ecological, and economic responsibility. Absolute Bike Tirana aims to promote eco-friendly transportation through bicycles, providing our city with cleaner air and adopting a civil and European practice. We believe in community-based programs, where the Foundation collaborates with local people to improve lives. By keeping the programs small and manageable, we monitor expenses in detail and ensure that funds are focused on priority needs.

Absolute Bike Tirana aims to address the transportation needs of rural and urban communities, enhancing societal awareness, responsibility, and environmental concerns. Specifically, Absolute Bike Tirana’s mission is to establish a community-based and community-supported economically sustainable model that provides quality consumer-oriented transportation services, catering to both urban and rural residents.

In the urban context, bike lanes can offer numerous benefits to the community. More and more cities are seeking ways to reduce overpopulation while also improving the environment, turning to bicycles. This means that vehicles and pedestrians won’t have to speculate on how cyclists will navigate roads or sidewalks. Absolute Bike Tirana’s bicycles provide access from the city’s outskirts to the urban center for those at risk of social and economic isolation.

Key Success Factors / Strengths:

  • The initiative heavily relies on volunteers, strengthening the community aspect of Absolute Bike Tirana.
  • It also employs financially disadvantaged individuals, contributing to social inclusion and economic support.

Activities Developed so Far

Students with their Student Cards in Albania
Students with their Student Cards

In 2021, Absolute Bike Tirana collaborated with the Municipality of Tirana and the National Youth Agency to create a partnership and became part of the Student Card initiative. The goal of the Student Card is to ease the economic burden on students in relation to their high expenses. For every individual who enjoys student status and is equipped with a student card, they receive a 10% discount on all the services offered by Absolute Bike Tirana. Our focus is on students, who inspire us every day with their participation in our store. The trust they have in us motivates us to continuously strive for even better things.

10-year-old boy with his bike in Albania
Happy 10-year-old with his new bike

During the “Donate a Bike” campaign in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana, we had the opportunity to donate a bicycle to a very positive 10-year-old boy who was suffering from a severe illness called hemiparesis, affecting the left side of his body. The bicycle was the only thing that kept him moving and helped him in his fight. Due to financial constraints, he couldn’t afford to buy one. Absolute Bike Tirana, along with its volunteers, made the donation of the bicycle possible, making him happier and giving us hope and motivation for many other cases.

Man getting a bike in Albania
Berti getting his bike

During the “Donate a Bike” campaign, Absolute Bike Tirana continued its mission by joining the initiative to show solidarity with more citizens. The individual we chose to assist was an exemplary citizen around 60 years old. Berti used to cycle over 10 kilometers every day to get to work. The house where he lived was in a peripheral area with no public transportation. Alongside our volunteer Ervin, we engaged and selected a comfortable bicycle suitable for his age, making his work easier and bringing a smile to his face.

Osmani getting a bike
Osmani getting a bike

During the “Donate a Bike” campaign, the citizen we chose to continue our initiative with was Osmani, a 20-year-old young man who was very well-educated. Osmani was continuing his studies, but difficult economic conditions forced him to work in his free time at a supermarket as a shelf organizer. His family was not in good health and economic circumstances to provide for the needs a child of his age proved to be difficult. Osmani tearfully told us the story of his life and the genetic condition he inherited from his mother, called ‘middle ear,’ making it difficult for him to travel to work as the house was somewhat far away. We listened attentively and did not hesitate to help. We gifted him a comfortable bicycle and also offered free servicing for any repairs the bicycle might need. After a few weeks, Osmani visited our store and seemed very happy. He explained how much we had eased his work and shortened the distance from home to work, but also made his journey to school easier since he commuted by bicycle every day.

Osmani was asking us about how we operate, and his great desire was to join us as a volunteer and contribute to our activities, making other people happy as well. This was certainly our wish too, as we gained a new young activist, motivating us even more for the work we do.

Group with bikes ready to ride in Albania
Exploringwithgysi group ready to ride

Absolute Bike Tirana, in collaboration with the youth of the “Exploringwithgysi” association, organized a one-day action where we participated in their adventures towards breathtaking destinations, creating unforgettable memories. We are in love with nature and its beauties, and without a doubt, we chose to be part of this organization by providing 20 bicycles for all the present activists at no cost.

Group biking in the mountains in Albania
Exploringwithgysi in the mountains

The aim of this activity was to explore “Lake of Bovilla” by visiting the main attractions of rural Tirana. Undoubtedly, the main objective of the Absolute Bike Tirana team and the activists was to raise awareness and participate in a cleaning campaign where people come together and organize for a cleaner and more responsible community.

Anyone who shirks responsibility by polluting, allowing pollution, or not reacting, doesn’t gain but loses! We all have the right to live in a healthy environment, but we must cooperate for this. We showed that we lack neither desire, nor will, nor energy to clean it, to protect it, and to develop our city!

Group biking in Albania on a road with cows
Exploringwithgysi group and cows

Last but not least, here is a one-minute 50-second video of what happened to 3 bikes from Absolute Bike Tirana.

Shipping the Gift of Mobility

Vector Global Logistics is an international shipping consolidator. They have handled the booking and logistics for our container shipments for over five years. They have long-term contracts with shipping lines that afford us very competitive pricing. They are very supportive of our mission and whenever possible find P4P discounts in the shipping costs.

In October 2021 Vector Global Logistics hosted Dave Schweidenback for an hour-long podcast. Dave talks about his childhood, his Peace Corps experience that inspired P4P, P4P’s early days and explosive growth, and lots more. Here are two versions of the podcast: (1) audio only and (2) audio and video.