This is a great thread and I support the concept. However, I have read several posts which indicated they were donating bike parts or accessories to The Salvation Army or Goodwill. While I support these worthwhile charities, there are several bike shops here in my (the Washington, D.C.) area that operate as after-school programs for at-risk youth. They are non-profit, 501.C.3. organizations, and teach kids mechanical and customer service skills, as well as how to operate a small business like a local bike shop. The shops do mechanical work overseen by a professional mechanic. They also build bikes and either sell them to contribute to the operating costs of the shop, and/or donate bikes to the working poor to enable them to commute to and hold down a job more easily. The kids can also earn a bike that they otherwise could not afford once they have volunteered enough hours. There are three of these types of shops here in the area where I live. So I gotta believe there are many more out there in other areas. So if you are considering donating bike parts and/or accessories to a charity, I strongly suggest you look into this kind of charitable organization. They are good places to buy bikes as well. (N+1 Forever!)
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If you live in the D.C. area and would like specific information about these types of shops, please send me a private message.
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