Altruistic Answers from Lucia Villani: Charities in the Spotlight

Our newest column “Altruistic Answers: Charities in the Spotlight” features Q&As with Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester residents who have founded, participate in or help with the many non-profit and charities in our communities. Here is our first feature on Rye-based charity Linking Handlebars. 

Organization: Linking Handlebars

Mission: To help underprivileged children enjoy the outdoors and a health means of transportation.  

Founding Members: The founding members of the organization are four Rye High School girls, Lucia Villani, Cristiana Villani, Bridget Salice and Jenna Cammisa. They have a wide range of volunteer experience in the local community having volunteered at Part of the Solution in the Bronx, the Carver Center and at Helping Hands. The group’s mission is to promote a healthier lifestyle for needy children through the distribution of bicycles,” according to the group’s flyer. 

To donate or get involved: visit linkinghandlebars.org. Their next donation drive will be at the end of this summer. Check with Patch for information.

They distributed 32 bicycles last December and 5 bicycles this June to children at the Carver Center. They collect gently used bicycles and have them checked out and fixed up. They also accept monetary donations to pay for the repairs for the gently used bicycles and to purchase new helmets and new bicycles.

This is the first of four Q&As with the founding members.

Answers from Lucia Villani, 17

Why did you decide to start Linking Handlebars?

We decided to start Linking Handlebars Inc. during the summer of 2012. Community service has always been a passion of mine and for a while, I was trying to come up with a new way to give back. While working at the after school program at Carver Center in "Port Chester last year, I created many friendships with the children and wanted to help them in some way. When talking over ideas with my sister, we believed bicycles gift to give away because bicycling is not only a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have fun with friends but it also offers transportation and exercise. Bicycling was a huge part of my childhood and I believe that all kids should be given a chance to have the same experiences I was fortunate enough to have. 




 What is the kids reaction when you give them the bike?
 How does that make you feel?



The kids are so excited when the see a bicycle and a new helmet especially the children who have never owned a bicycle. Some kids jump right on the bikes to try them out. When I see the smile on the children's' faces and receive their warm hugs, it makes all the hard work that we do to run our organization worth every minute. 



Do you expect to continue community service work in the future?

I know I will continue to do community service in my future. I absolutely love working with children and look forward to finding or creating other opportunities to give back to them. Linking Handlebars is a huge part of my life now and I expect that it will remain that way in the future. 



 What is the most challenging part about running a charity? 
What is the most rewarding part?



The most challenging part for me is that there are so many children in need and there are so many we can help at once. We are trying our best to support as many children as possible and hope that this year we can double the amount of bicycles we distributed last year. The most rewarding part is hearing how much the children enjoy having new bicycles and how the bicycle has enhanced their life. 

Please share an anecdote on how you first learned ride a bike?

I first learned how to ride a bicycle when I was very young. My mother loves bike riding and wanted to use bicycle riding as a family experience. She would put my younger brother on the back of her bicycle and take my sister and I to the park at Osborn until we learned to ride.

*If you have a person or charity you'd like to see featured in "Altruistic Answers: Charities in the Spotlight" please share the name of that organization, person or group in the comments or email it to me at elizabeth.giegerich@patch.com