Rye Students Give Back To The Community

Four Rye High School students have created their own charitable not-for- profit organization, Linking Handlebars in 2012.

Linking Handlebars collects gently used bicycles and cash donations to purchase new bicycles, helmets and to refurbish used bicycles for underprivileged children.

The children have an opportunity to use the bikes for exercise, transportation and enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Linking Handlebars have distributed about 100 bicycles since their inception.

At the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester, Linking Handlebars distributed 52 bicycles.

The founders of this organization, Jenna Cammisa, Bridget Salice, along with Lucia and Cristina Villani, have been able to reach their goals through donations, a raffle event, and the support from local businesses.

“The look on the kids faces when they sat on their new bikes made me realize it really was worth all the hard work to get here. Now, I just want to make sure every kid who needs a bike, gets one”, said Cristina Villani, Vice President of Linking Handlebars.

A donation of a gently used bicycle is also welcome.  Donations can be mailed to PO Box 75, Rye, NY 10580 or by visiting www.linkinghandlebars.org.