May 16. Bikes for the World is an organization that collects bikes to be distributed in countries where they are an important part of daily life.
Zach Marx is a Weber student who has embraced the cause as part of his bar mitzvah project at the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (RSNS) in Plandome with the assistance of his father, Kenny Marx, and Larry Silverman. Kenny, Zach and Larry have created the New York chapter of the organization to open up the New York metropolitan area as a valuable channel for Bikes for the World collections.
Kenny Marx has partnered with Damon Gersh, founder of PortFest, to make PortFest a collection point for the bikes. “We have tagged PortFest as our milestone collection date given the nature and timing of the event,” said Kenny. “We’re trying to spread the word to folks to bring their used bikes to PortFest.”
Collections will take place at the Schreiber High School campus. The donation of any bike is fully tax deductible for the value of the used bike. “Bikes of the World will be set up on the pathway as you enter PortFest from the parking lot. If you bring a bike, you will get paperwork for a full tax deduction,” said Kenny. “The bikes will be loaded on the truck right there in the parking lot.”
Bikes of the World collects the bikes, transports them to the D.C. area, and then they are shipped to where they are needed. So far they’ve collected 100,000 bikes around the world. “When I realized how much a bike can change a person’s life, it really hit a chord with me,” said Kenny. “Bikes for the World’s mission is to distribute used bicycles in Africa, Asia and Central America to transform lives by providing the means to travel to school, jobs and receive healthcare. Bikes for the World has distributed over 100,000 bikes to date by partnering with local organizations to help disadvantaged people improve their lives.”
Kenny, who grew up in Great Neck, has two sons, one at Weber and one at Schreiber. “So clear out your garage and help Bikes for the World change lives, one bike at a time,” said Kenny. For additional information or questions, contact Kenny Marx at kennymarxbikes@gmail.com.
Bike Collection
