88Bikes Has Global Mission

of

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 5, 2011) – Did you know donating a bicycle could change the world? Find out how 88Bikes is making a difference when co-founder Dan Austin speaks at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in the Student Center’s Worsham Theater. This event is free and sponsored by the Student Activities Board (SAB).

Dan Austin is a co-founder of 88Bikes. Founded in 2006, 88Bikes is a registered nonprofit organization that works on a simple principle: for every $88 donation, one child in a developing country receives a bicycle. The name 88Bikes was inspired by the organization's first project, where they raised money to purchase 88 bicycles for 88 children at an orphanage in Cambodia. $88 is also the average cost to build a bicycle in a developing country. The principle stimulates the economy in the countries where the bikes go because every bicycle is purchased locally, and any labor for transportation, assembly, or assistance is hired locally. 

88Bikes now has endowment locations in Uganda, Peru, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Ghana, Mongolia and Tanzania. These locations were chosen because of their likelihood for success and resources available. After donations are made, the 88Bikes team travels to these project sites in person to give bikes. 88bikes also provides the children with bike maintenance training, safety workshops, group bike rides, and bike-based job skills. To date more than 1,000 bikes have been donated all over the world. 

“Dan Austin is another example of how an idea that seems so simple can have a big impact on others.” said Jill Baranowski, director of the SAB Engaging Issues Committee. “Much like TOMS Shoes, 88Bikes turns the people who donate money into global social activists, which is an uplifting and inspiring thing for any organization to accomplish.” 

For more information about 88Bikes visit www.88Bikes.org.The Student Activities Board (SAB) brings more than 100 events to the University of Kentucky annually that enhance the college experience by providing students, other members of the campus and the Lexington community with entertaining, educational or enriching programs that are reflective of contemporary issues and trends.Connect with SAB at http://www.uksab.org, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UKSAB or like SAB on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UKSAB. For more information about SAB and SAB events, contact publicrelations@uksab.org or text a question beginning with SABQ, followed by your question or comment, to 411-247.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, (859) 257-1754, ext. 255