Laconia Area Bicycle Exchange to reopen April 15; needs volunteers

LACONIA — The Laconia Area Bicycle Exchange will open on Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be a setup day on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for volunteers.

This season coming will mark the fourth year the exchange has been in operation. Over 400 bicycles were provided for those in need.

Volunteers are needed to help keep the exchange functioning smoothly. You may join the advistory board, to help with Web page maintenance and publicity, finance and budgeting, grant writing, and representation to other organizations in the community. Scheduled meetings would be once a month.

If you like working on bikes and all the varieties of donated bikes that need attention, you may volunteer for that.

This year the exchange shop will be open Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For the last three years John Rogers has acted as executive director, but he will be stepping back into a less demanding role. If you are interested in taking that role, please contact Rogers at labe2014@yahoo.com.

The exchange has an oversupply of young children’s bikes. If you know of an organization or enterprise that would benefit please let Rogers know.

Sponsor organizations are needed to help build and strengthen the work of the exchange. Advocacy organizations and recovery programs where participants are encouraged to give time as volunteers in repaying the community are encouraged.