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Date: 1/4/2022
SPRINGFIELD – In a continuation of their efforts to connect the community through bicycle donations, RadSpringfield is donating bikes to newly-relocated refugees from Afghanistan in a partnership with Jewish Family Services of Western Mass (JFS).
Manager of RadSpringfield Rob Thomas spoke to Reminder Publishing about the non-profit organization’s history and his involvement. Thomas said RadSpringfield was created by Alex Weck and Laura Masulis in 2016 under the umbrella of Make-It Springfield, with the manager of the nonprofit revealing his initial involvement began in a volunteer role in 2018 after discovering the space during lunch breaks from his job at the time.
“I had some extra time on my hands, so I made it a priority to be at RadSpringfield every Monday afternoon. I went from vacuuming the floor at first to learning how to tear down and put back together most parts on the bike. It’s been a great learning experience for me,” said Thomas. He shared that he became more intimately involved in the nonprofit’s day-to-day operations after taking an early retirement from his job.
As an avid bike rider, Thomas said he believes wholeheartedly in the positive impact bicycles can have for individuals. He relayed the role bikes play as a liberating transportation device, a reliable signature for athletic use and a technological tool that can teach essential mechanical skills – with each facet being core components stressed in RadSpringfield’s mission.
“We bring the kids in there and try to teach bike repair skills. Bike repairs offer a lot of life lessons in it, as far as working together on a team, working to solve problems and becoming more mechanically inclined. I can fix a lot more things around the house after learning so much…Bicycles really are an amazing tool,” said Thomas.
Along with the nonprofits efforts to provide bicycles for children and local residents, Thomas said the organization aids other nonprofits like the JFS. He explained that the partnership between RadSpringfield and JFS began a few years back when a need for handicap accessible bikes arose, with the collaboration being an essential outlet for RadSpringfield as the nonprofit faced the impacts of the pandemic. “Everything was locked down, but we were still able to work on bikes and put them to good use,” said Thomas.
In a continuation of their committed partnership, Thomas shared that RadSpringfield was happy to be involved in aiding Afghanistan refugees to the city. “Since we often have bikes available for adults, the JFS reached out to us. It was a great fit,” said Thomas.
Readers interested in learning more about RadSpringfield can visit their website https://radspringfield.org/. Thomas said the organization welcomes the donations of bicycles, bicycle parts, helmets or monetary contributions.