Need Cycling Clothes for Girls

[velogirl]

I am working on a project called the Wheels Can Take Me Places Project. I am training a class of twenty two 7th grade youth from a local charter school to participate in the 2009 Katy Trail Ride- 225 miles in one week. Fourteen of those 7th graders are girls. We presently have some used donated clothing for boys, but nothing for the girls. We are hoping that we can get some help from people wanting to support this project, and ask that if you have it, to donate some used clothing (or equipment) for the girls.

Please send clothing to:

Urban KC Community of Cycling
3008 Drury Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64128
(816) 326-7924

Thank you for your support.

Best Regards,

Kenneth Walker
www.UrbanKCcc.com
Community Cycling Representative for Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling

[Biciclista]

hm, i might be able to help with this!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have one jersey that might be a little big but fits like an adult small. No pockets, but it is moisture wicking. It is extremely lightly used, I will try to get to the post office this week.

[Karma007]

I have a helmet in good condition (new one for christmas!) but could they use it? Would it even be worth it to ship it?

[Selkie]

Thanks. I have several jerseys that I can contribute, possibly some shorts.

[Biciclista]

I am getting a box together and maybe my DH can contribute some stuff too.

[Tuckervill]

It'd be nice if we had sizes. Seventh grade girls can be full-grown.

Karen

[singletrackmind]

A (stupid) idea is running around with my brain right now....

Could (do they still even have?) the high school or magnet or college or whatever home ec/sewing class make some matching jerseys for you from a pattern? It'd have to be an advanced skills class.
Ah, guess there'd still be a cost issue anyways.

Yeah, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Not like any rotten tomatoes will hit me from that distance! :o

[Selkie]

I found a bunch of nice, gently worn jerseys that I've packed up for the girls. Also found a pair of Castelli shorts that I'm sending. It's great to know that these items are going to have a better, "second" life.

What a great way to start the new year!

[Trek420]

Could (do they still even have?) the high school or magnet or college or whatever home ec/sewing class make some matching jerseys for you from a pattern? It'd have to be an advanced skills class.
Ah, guess there'd still be a cost issue anyways.

Yeah, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Not like any rotten tomatoes will hit me from that distance! :o

I think that's an excellent idea!

Combined with an arts school project doing the design for the kit ....

[Biciclista]

I wrote to the man doing it, and he sent me a photo of the kids.
IM me your email address and i will forward everything he sent to me.

[velogirl]

Thank you all! I knew the women of TE would come through. I have a special place in my heart for youth in need and Kenneth has worked very hard to develop this program.

Lorri

[Biciclista]

how did you get involved with a group in the midwest?

[velogirl]

I'm not involved with the program, just spreading the word.

Cycling is a very small world, don't you think? One of my former teammates is a friend of Kenneth's. She sent me the original notice. Then, I realized that he and I had been chatting on Facebook.

I invited Kenneth to answer your questions here on the board, so he will join. He's a great guy who's put together an inspirational program and I know you'll all welcome him.

Lorri

[SheFly]

I just saw this thread, but I have a bunch of stuff I'd be willing to donate to this cause as well. I'll try to get a box together this week, and put it into the mail!

Thanks for the heads up on this, Velogirl!

SheFly

[Crankin]

I will be sending some jerseys, wicking t shirts, and maybe a skort.

[spindizzy]

I also have some shorts, gloves and a helmet. Does anyone know if he is accepting helmets? ..never crashed, 3 years old and I might be able to rustle up a jersey. What about shoes - what are they wearing?

[Aint Doody]

Mimi, could you put the picture in this thread? I'd like to see to get an idea if what I could send would fit anybody.

Thanks!!

Susan

[Biciclista]

these are minors and i don't have their permission to post their pictures on line. Send me a PM with your email and i'll gladly share it with you. I will say that the girls look like they go from XS to Medium with maybe a large or two thrown in.

[velogirl]

you can find their photos on the program website:

http://www.UrbanKCcc.com

I think all donations will be put to good use.

[Biciclista]

http://www.urbankccc.com/0_0_0_0_152_119_csupload_1728273_large.jpg?u=633656295608371250


here's the one he sent you're right, it was on the webpage

[Aint Doody]

Thanks! I'm sending out a box of things--mostly jerseys and a couple of pair of shorts, too. I am asking for a receipt for tax purposes. Looks like a fun group, doesn't it?

[spindizzy]

My LBS is closing down for a month. Major renos, name change etc. They had a $10 table, so I picked up a couple pairs of gloves and 2 Cannondate bike shorts. Also picked up 2 pairs of socks. Mind you, one of the shorts has some fish design (tasteful) on the sides - but I'm hoping there is one gal that likes to be a bit different.

Then I bought some stuff for me....:D

[emily_in_nc]

I have three plain-colored, long-sleeve jerseys (size S) I could donate since rarely ride in cool/cold weather, but I expect they're doing the ride at a time of year when they'd want short-sleeved or sleeveless jerseys. Does anyone know? I would be happy to donate them if they could use them. Unfortunately I don't have any extra SS jerseys. :(

[Biciclista]

Emily, considering where they are from, I imagine sometimes they're going to need that kind of jersey too.
I just now got my box ready to mail. :D

[batsheva]

just packaged up a parcel with 3 great primal jerseys, pair of new shorts and a couple pairs of cycling gloves.

thanks for giving us the opportunity to give away our less used items to such a great cause!

batsheva

[Eden]

I have a few things kicking around - a barely used wind jacket and a pair of wind pants. A couple of x-small jerseys and a couple pairs of socks. My husband threw in a jersey as well, though I doubt it would fit any of the girls... maybe a boy can use it. I'll see if I can hit up the team for some of our excess and check the local shop that sometimes has shorts on sale for under $10.

[Biciclista]

I have a few things kicking around - a barely used wind jacket and a pair of wind pants. A couple of x-small jerseys and a couple pairs of socks. My husband threw in a jersey as well, though I doubt it would fit any of the girls... maybe a boy can use it. I'll see if I can hit up the team for some of our excess and check the local shop that sometimes has shorts on sale for under $10.

what local shop has shorts for under $10?

[Eden]

what local shop has shorts for under $10?

Sometimes Bicycles West has clearances on old stuff - yes it may be 5 years old.... but its really cheap. As long as its not a helmet who cares. It's not like cycling short styles change so drastically everyone will be looking as saying that's so 90's....

[Susan Otcenas]

Lorri,

Sounds like you've had quite the response to this. Can you find out if your friend's group still needs clothing? I have a BIG box of pieces that need a home. Most of the items are "lightly blemished" warranty items for which we've received vendor credit. I'm free to do what I want with them. Most of it is still quite functional (much of it unworn) but not sellable.

If he still needs apparel, I'll send a bunch. Otherwise, I'm open to suggestions on where to donate these items.

Susan

[Eden]

I've let my team know as well. A few people have already expressed some interest. I got a pair of small padded baggy shorts and a pair of pink and black cycling gloves on sale today to add to my box.

[velogirl]

Hi Susan! I'm pretty sure Kenneth is still collecting clothing for his program.

For other alternatives, here are a couple of donation sources I know of in CA. I'm sure other folks will know places elsewhere in the US (or abroad).

Trips for Kids (http://tripsforkids.org) -- sells new, used, blems, etc in their thrift shop (the Recyclery) to fund their mountain bike programs for at-risk kids in SF. TFK is run by Marilyn Price (Jefferson Award, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, etc). I volunteer as a trip volunteer and have run special girls camps, too! It's a very worthy group.

NorCal High School Mountain Bike League (http://www.norcalmtb.org/spon/lycra_drive.htm) -- collect used clothing & gear in the annual "Lycra Drive" to be distributed to new high school teams and riders.

[Biciclista]

I mailed my package last night. jerseys for guys and gals and some bike shorts for gals. I look forward to seeing them all dressed up in our duds!!

[velogirl]

can you even imagine how much clothing that is? I shipped 11 pounds of clothing today from our team. I kept an inventory of my donation but not of everyone else's. 11 pounds is probably enough to outfit a marching band!

Kenneth has been posting photos of the kids and their bikes (they got a HUGE donation) on his blog. Check it out!

[Eden]

The gals on my team are coming through too - we have a team party next Friday so it will take a little while for our stuff, but I'll be collecting and mailing next week.

[Kenneth Walker]

Hi y'all,

I just joined the forum and the first thing I wanted to do is to thank you all for being so caring, supportive and kind in you donations of clothing to the Wheels Can Take Me Places project I have going on here in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yes, I have received a lot of your packages already and I am overwhelmed! I have already shared a few of the the jerseys and such with some of our young ladies and you would not believe the looks from them! Having clothing made for ladies seems to make a BIG difference in how the are looking at this endevour...and they are amazed that cycling is something that women actually do! The clothing confirms that for them and they are feeling like real cyclists. And they look the part also! One young lady has yet to learn how to ride a bike, but now, every time she practices (in the school's gym) she has to have on the jersey she got from you all. She won't ride without it!!!!!!

I have to tell you the truth, tho...now that the girls have jerseys and other clothing to litterally pick their favorites from, the boys are jealous...because I do have clothing for them, but all of it is old...some of it older than they are, in fact. So I have to ask, for those of you sending things, if you know of any guys who want to get rid of some clothing as well, ask them to send them to me as well, it will be appreciated by all.

I wanted to share this with you... http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2009/01/cycling_fairy_strikes_again.php

Thanks to you all- a special thanks to Laurel Green and Lorri Lee Lown, who got this whole thing rolling...i love you ladies even tho we have not met...yet!!!!

I promise to keep you all updated, with info and pics and if we can work it all out, you will also receive some letters of thanks from the kids you all are helping. You are an AWESOME group and I am glad to "be a part"!

Best Regards,
Kenneth Walker

[Kenneth Walker]

Okay y'all, here I am...just wanted to thank you all for your caring spirit, kindness and willingness to support the Wheels Can Take Me Places project. I have already received a number of packages from you all, and in sharing some of the clothing with the girls in the program has made a big change in how they see themselves riding bicycles. They are amazed that women actually ride bicycles on a regular basis, because they don't get to see that here in KC...and it has changed something in them.

After reading all of the posts, I want to add that we can use all kinds of gear...helmets, shades, gloves, just about anything for cycling, be it for males or females (after seeing what the girls have, the boys have gotten jealous cause I only have limited clothing for them)...we are really starting from scratch as far as this program is concerned. And also, I work with another local charter school, doing a month long summer cycling program with them. I will use some of this gear with those youth as well, so if you know any guys who want to get rid of some gear also, feel free to send it my way.

Again, I am just overwhelmed by your kindness...and everyone needs to give each other a big hug from me, until I can do it myself. Expect pictures, updates and letters from the kids in the near future. Thank you big time to Lorri Lee Lown and Laurel Green for getting this whole thing rolling. I have never come across anyone so willing to help as these two ladies...you all are very lucky to have them in your lives and as friends. Thanks y'all!!!

Kenneth

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Kenneth,

I have three jerseys to put in the mail for the girls tomorrow (no boys stuff, sorry!) Hope it's not too late!

Emily

[arielmoon]

I have a jersey and possibly a helmet in good condition. I will try to get it out tomorrow!

[Fujichants]

Can I still send out cycling clothes or is there a deadline?

I have a couple of jerseys, shorts and gloves that I would like to donate.

[Aint Doody]

Bringing this back up. I sent a good-sized box with clothing in it. I asked that somebody send me a receipt for tax purposes. I enclosed a list of the items and their approximate value. I never heard anything. Anybody else? I'd still like to get a receipt for the donation.

[emily_in_nc]

Bringing this back up. I sent a good-sized box with clothing in it. I asked that somebody send me a receipt for tax purposes. I enclosed a list of the items and their approximate value. I never heard anything. Anybody else? I'd still like to get a receipt for the donation.

I got a nice thank you letter from the class -- very sweet and hand-written. I had asked about a tax receipt too, but no, did not get one. I'm just going to let it slide as I didn't send that much (three used jerseys), and I expect they didn't expect requests of that sort. Bummer for you, since you sent a lot.

[withm]

Sounds like they do not have any kind of not-for-profit or other tax exempt status. While I'm sure they appreciate your generousity, they are not in a position to give a reciept that will carry any weight with the dreaded IRS.

[Biciclista]

i never heard back either. i hoped they would at least let me know they received the box.

[Eden]

Me too - my box was quite heavy so I sent it regular parcel post - no delivery confirmation available.

[velogirl]

I haven't received anything other than email from Kenneth either. But it occurred to me, did you all send him an itemized donation list along with your name and mailing address? If not, he won't be able to follow-up with you.

Lorri

[emily_in_nc]

I haven't received anything other than email from Kenneth either.

Wow, I wonder why I seem to be the only one who got a nice hand-written letter from one of the girls in the class? Maybe they're doing a letter a week?

[Selkie]

Emily, in mid-Feb, I got handwritten, personal, sweet thank you notes from two of the girls. It meant a lot to me to know how much the clothing made a difference for them.

[Aint Doody]

I sent an itemized list with my name and address. I was happy to send things, but I at least would have liked some sort of acknowledgement.

[Biciclista]

i sent him an email. you might notice earlier in this thread that he does mention having received stuff from us; maybe he thought that was sufficient.
If he writes back, i'll let you know.

[Kenneth Walker]

Ladies,

I got an email from both Lorri Lee Lown and Mimi Boothy, in reference to the clothing donations you all have made to the Wheels Can Take Me Places Project I am working on here in Kansas City. As both my honor and integrity are on the line, know that both are important to me and the work that I try and do, so I wanted to address your inquiries and concerns. I have much appreciation for you all, and the hundreds of others who have followed your lead- and I want to do whatever I need to do to make sure that those who feel slighted have no bad feelings in their effort to help this project.

First, let me say that perhaps one of you could be designated as a contact person with whom I can communicate with to keep you all updated on the project you have donated to. I have posted, since February 2009, both my own personal thanks, updates and pictures- all about your specific donations, on my website, www.UrbanKCcc.com , so that you can actually see and hear about the excitement generated when the kids recieved equipment. I mention Team Estrogen BY NAME, as it would not be feasible to list every name of every person. PLEASE, take a look and see the pics of kids receiving and wearing equipment donated by your group. I also have made sure to post information about the Team Estrogen donations, along with pictures, on Facebook, sharing it with my 1,630+ Facebook friends across the country and world. I'll bet that if you have friends on Facebook that are cyclists, some of them have heard about it.

I feel like I should explain myself. While some people have the impression that I am the lead of a very large organization, that is not the case. I am a guy whose family has allowed him to retire from the world of regular employment to pursue working in the community with youth, using cycling as the catylst. In those efforts, people like yourself, for no other reason other than to help out, have worked with me, just as you have, to provide the best of situations for youth, in becoming involved with cycling.

In the time since I received your donations, I have given away 15 brand new bicycles to youth, I also have two other cycling programs at two other schools going at the same time. Also, I serve on the Bike/Ped Advisory Committee for my city, am the Missouri State Ambassador for the League of American Bicyclists, and am training and racing in my second season. I am also the father of 4 children and my first grandson arrived just two days ago. My point being, I have much going on, so please forgive me for not being in a position to respond to each of you individually.

Also, I am not, nor is the Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling, a not-for-profit organization. There are those of you that have asked for a reciept from me, I am assuming for tax purposes, however, a reciept from me would mean little, if anything, if that is the intent.

While you all have been very kind in sending clothing and equipment to Kansas City, and I appreciate that, and made sure to respond to you all in this very forum, you need to know and understand that the donations are not really being made to Kenneth Walker, but to Scuola Vita Nouvea and their students. The agreement between myself and the school is that I would be the receiver of donations, making sure that they get the donations and donor information, and they would respond to each of you, with a handwritten letter from one of the kids, thanking you. And really, I would think that you all would agree that that is how it should be done.

I know for a fact that some of you have been sent letters, and I would speculate that more will be received...as I stated before, this is the agreement I have with the school and also part of the programming in the project. We are talking about a teacher and group of 7th grade children, at a charter school in the urban core of Kansas City, that knows nothing about cycling, the significance of your donations or the clothing they have received. They are however, starting to realize how big of a thing it is.

Trust me when I say that I am diligent in making sure that they get the info on not just your donations, but the many other donations that have come in. In my conversations with the teacher, she assures me that all donations will be acknowledged. Also, I have mentioned the issue of reciepts for those who have asked, which I think is only one person, however I am not sure how they will handle that. I do know that the school is a not-for-profit organization.

What I will do is to have another discussion with the school and the students. I will do my best to speed up the process so that you will be acknowledge by them for your donations in a more timely manner.

Again, if you could designate someone whom I could funnel updates and pics to, I could make sure that you all are assured that equipment is being used. Also, every person that has donated, if you give that person your contact information, I will personally take the time to send each of you an acknowledgement of such and if you want it, a receipt for every peice of clothing or equipment. Despite my agreement with the school, I feel that this is my fault and want to do whatever it takes to make you all feel better about it.

Best Regards,
Kenneth Walker

[Biciclista]

I have pictures; I'll post them in a few hours!

[Selkie]

Ken, thanks for all that you are doing for these kids. You have made a difference in their lives and serve as a role model to all.

[Biciclista]

http://www.sersale.org/bike/kids2.jpg

http://www.sersale.org/bike/kids1.jpg

http://www.sersale.org/bike/kids3.jpg

http://www.sersale.org/bike/kids4.jpg
http://www.sersale.org/bike/kids5.jpg

[Aint Doody]

This is just great. I saw 2 of my jerseys I sent in one of the pictures. I'm so glad that the children can make use of these items. My intent in my post was not to criticize Kenneth or the project. I just wondered where things were regarding this project. And I would still like to have a receipt -- if possible.

[Eden]

I see a couple of our jerseys in the photos too - good to know the package made it! I was a little afraid it might have burst.... the box was a tad too small....

No one I collected from needs a receipt, just nice to know everything did arrive, so thanks for the photos!

[Biciclista]

Kenneth wrote to me last night:

maybe you and they will like this, the first time this young lady rode her bicycle... before this day last week, she was scared to death to try and ride a bike...but she just hops on and goes like it's nothing...made my heart leap...

know that I appreciate you all

[velogirl]

Hey Kenneth! Rather than designating one TE contact (since we're all over the planet), I might suggest you just check in here on the forum once in a while. Post some photos, let us know how the kids are doing, report on their rides, etc. In addition to keeping everyone @ TE informed, it would also serve as secondary PR for your program (since this forum is a permanent, public forum and ranked high in google search results).

Lorri

[ASammy1]

The kids look great! Great pics and thanks for sharing :D

[ClickIn]

Yippee! I sent a box of stuff a while ago. Just happened upon the pictures today and now I have the biggest smile on my face!!!