Nearly two dozen Penn Manor High School students are able to get to summer jobs, run errands, and attend English as a Second Language (ESL) classes thanks to the generosity of community members who donated bicycles to families in need.
The effort began when Wendy Letavic, English language development coordinator for the school district, encouraged students to attend a free, two-week ESL program in August. Many of them said they would like to attend but had no way to get there. So Letavic asked them, "If you had a bike, would you ride there, since it's in Millersville?"
When the students said yes, Letavic sent out an email to the high school staff explaining the need and asking for bike donations. That email resulted in four bikes, some of them in need of major repairs. That is where one of her students, Josenlly Martinez, stepped in.
Before he immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic two years ago, Josenlly used to fix bikes and sell them for extra money to help his family. Josenlly volunteered his skills to make necessary repairs so the bikes are safe and rideable for students.
"It is amazing what he can do for these bikes, making them look almost like new," Letavic remarked.
When demand for the bikes grew, Letavic sent out another email appeal, which a Penn Manor staff member shared with her church. That produced eight more bicycle donations, along with several helmets.
A local bike shop also became involved, as did an organization called Santa's Spokes. In all, more than 20 bikes and several helmets were donated.
"The students are so elated to receive a bike because this gives them many more opportunities during the summer to get out of the house, socialize, exercise, or get to a job," Letavic said. "This has been such a rewarding experience."
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