Featured Volunteer: Buzz Mackintosh

Buzz Mackintosh isn't technically a Bikes for the World volunteer. Nor is he a Carroll Creek Rotarian. Buzz Mackintosh sounds like a name destined for Space. Fittingly, Buzz Mackintosh goes above and beyond for both organizations and is therefore an honorary member of both!

Rotarian Dick Foot sums it up like this, "One needn't be wielding a pedal wrench or Allen wrench to make a contribution to Bikes for the World." He also points to a poetry passage of John Milton, which describes Buzz perfectly, "They also serve who only stand and wait."

We couldn't agree more. Speaking of Space, Buzz was recognized because of his generous loan of space. He has granted access to his vacant dairy barn to the Rotary Club, who uses it for storage for several of their annual activities. One of them being the most burdensome, Bikes for the World. As Carroll Creek collects bikes for our program throughout the year, they take them to the more convenient barn location for storage. This allows them to collect more bikes, more often and allows us the time and space to make the best use of the donated bikes in our program. 

This arrangement was especially beneficial during 2020 when shipping became more challenging because of the pandemic. As our warehouse was filled to capacity, we were still able to accept bikes in Frederick, which were stored in Buzz's barn. As we plan shipments, it's beneficial to have this 'cushion' of bikes to supplement our containers even in our leaner winter months, or if we are trying to squeeze in another shipment during a busy spring.

Because of how we store and ship bikes, we often find ourselves overrun with a certain type of bike (like road bikes) and yet unable to fill an entire container. It's a delicate planning process that makes use of our limited space while still being able to meet our partners demands for not only bikes, but the most useful bikes (usually mountain bikes with wider more robust tires) for their programs.

According to Executive Director Taylor Jones, "the barn is a huge asset for our programs and allows us to distribute significantly more bikes than would otherwise be possible." As BfW moved around over the last two decades chasing free or cheap warehouse space, we can attest to just how valuable this barn is to us. Buzz's generosity is rare and special.

The barn certainly allows the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek the ability to collect more bikes annually. For many of our collection partners who have been with us for 20 years, they have just recently donated their 1,000th bike. In 2017-2018 alone, the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek teamed up in the community to donate over 2,000 bikes to Bikes for the World. They also donate dozens of kids bikes to local organizations, something the barn allows them the space to do.

Without Buzz, the Club would rely solely on their one day collection event, which occurs this year on April 20th at Triangle Motors. This event averages about 100 bikes annually. By utilizing the dairy barn, they are able to offer more convenient drop off locations with partnering businesses throughout the year. This allows donors the ability to donate bikes when it works best for them. It also allows Bikes for the World access to a supply of bikes whenever it's needed. 

The Rotary Club of Carroll Creek crew expects to break 7,000 bikes later this year, thanks to the barn. To Infinity and Beyond!

*The Paul Harris Fellow Award is named for the founder of Rotary, to recognize men and women who- to quote the intent of the Rotary Foundation are "doing good in the world".