HJ472: Commending Wheels to Africa.
WHEREAS, for over a decade, the Arlington-based nonprofit organization Wheels to Africa has worked to collect bicycles for needy communities in Africa and around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Wheels to Africa traces its origins to 2005, when an 11-year-old Arlington County resident named Winston Duncan visited South Africa and noticed that many people there had to endure long walks to acquire basic necessities; upon returning to the United States, he worked with his mother, Dixie, to set up an organization that would collect used bicycles and send them abroad; and
WHEREAS, since its founding in 2005, Wheels to Africa has won national recognition, hosted numerous bike collection drives, and donated over 7,000 bicycles; during one event, the organization brought together 104 volunteers and collected over 1,000 bicycles in the span of a day; and
WHEREAS, along with African nations such as Tanzania, Nigeria, and Kenya, Wheels to Africa has also donated bicycles to communities in Haiti and Honduras and to individuals in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Wheels to Africa hosts regular bike collections at locations in Northern Virginia and in Maryland; the organization also takes part in special events, such as an annual Bands for Bikes benefit concert in McLean; and
WHEREAS, in addition to collecting bicycles for those in need, Wheels to Africa serves as an educational and volunteer platform for developing youth leaders and has hosted several youth in Tanzania; and
WHEREAS, the bicycles donated by Wheels to Africa have improved the lives of people around the world by helping students get to school, allowing aid workers to deliver medicine and supplies, and assisting farmers in reaching markets more quickly; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Wheels to Africa on its outstanding efforts to donate bicycles to communities in need around the globe; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Wheels to Africa as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s generous efforts to improve quality of life and expand access to transportation for the less fortunate.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 472
WHEREAS, for over a decade, the Arlington-based nonprofit organization Wheels to Africa has worked to collect bicycles for needy communities in Africa and around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Wheels to Africa traces its origins to 2005, when an 11-year-old Arlington County resident named Winston Duncan visited South Africa and noticed that many people there had to endure long walks to acquire basic necessities; upon returning to the United States, he worked with his mother, Dixie, to set up an organization that would collect used bicycles and send them abroad; and
WHEREAS, since its founding in 2005, Wheels to Africa has won national recognition, hosted numerous bike collection drives, and donated over 7,000 bicycles; during one event, the organization brought together 104 volunteers and collected over 1,000 bicycles in the span of a day; and
WHEREAS, along with African nations such as Tanzania, Nigeria, and Kenya, Wheels to Africa has also donated bicycles to communities in Haiti and Honduras and to individuals in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Wheels to Africa hosts regular bike collections at locations in Northern Virginia and in Maryland; the organization also takes part in special events, such as an annual Bands for Bikes benefit concert in McLean; and
WHEREAS, in addition to collecting bicycles for those in need, Wheels to Africa serves as an educational and volunteer platform for developing youth leaders and has hosted several youth in Tanzania; and
WHEREAS, the bicycles donated by Wheels to Africa have improved the lives of people around the world by helping students get to school, allowing aid workers to deliver medicine and supplies, and assisting farmers in reaching markets more quickly; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Wheels to Africa on its outstanding efforts to donate bicycles to communities in need around the globe; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Wheels to Africa as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s generous efforts to improve quality of life and expand access to transportation for the less fortunate.