SPOKES FOR FOLKS PROGRAM IN BOOTHBAY HARBOR FT. PRIORITY
Since 2006, the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club has been providing free bicycles for international workers and all who need one in the Boothbay area. The need is very real as so many of these folks have no transportation available to them at all and their lodging can be miles from their workplace. Their area attracts summer workers, many from outside the U.S., from countries as far flung as Lithuania, Russia, China, Bulgaria and many others. Rotary club members and community volunteers have donated hundreds of hours in labor and many hundreds of dollars for parts each year to cobble together an adequate fleet of bikes to meet the demand.
Doug Roberts, owner of Oak Street Provisions, began to research the possibility of buying new, simpler, sturdy all aluminum bikes for the program. He found Priority Bicycles and was attracted to them for their ideal use in salt-water climates and their low maintenance.
The Priority Team is very excited to be a part of such a wonderful cause and to work with such great people with a mission to help others by providing a simple way to get around town.
The Spokes for Folks program has raised about $6,000 of the $25,000 needed this summer. They are short about 30 new bikes, according to Doug Roberts. Donations can be made at https://www.crowdrise.com/spokesforfolks. The Rotary Club is also accepting checks made out to Boothbay Harbor Rotary Foundation, and marked in the note field: “Spokes For Folks”; mailed to the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club at P.O. Box 518 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.