St. Mark’s Episcopal Church School Students Donate 35 Bicycles to Rural Communities Through Episcopal Relief & Development Program

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan has launched a meaningful initiative that highlights the transformative power of bicycles. As June marks Bicycle Awareness Month, the church is celebrating the role of bicycles not only as a means of recreation but as tools for connection, opportunity, and hope. This spring, Sunday church school students at St. Mark’s discovered that everyday items like bicycles can become life-changing resources for children and families in rural communities worldwide.

Through a partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development’s “Gifts for Life” program, students raised funds to provide 35 new bicycles to communities in Africa and other regions where reliable transportation can significantly improve access to schools, healthcare, jobs, and local markets. The initiative reflects a growing awareness of how simple, practical resources can empower communities and foster sustainable development.

Rob Radtke, President and CEO of Episcopal Relief & Development, expressed gratitude for the Children’s Ministry at St. Mark’s, noting the program’s ability to provide practical resources that empower communities. For families in remote areas, a bicycle can reduce travel time, increase access to essential services, and create new opportunities. This project has become a powerful example of how generosity can drive meaningful change.

To kick off the initiative, a middle school student at St. Mark’s rode his bike up the church aisle during Sunday morning announcements. He stopped next to Rector Peter Walsh and shared the project with the congregation. “I was very excited to ride my bike in church to help share this amazing project,” said Henry D., age 13. “I love biking and was interested to learn how bikes can change lives in Africa and other places around the world.”

For St. Mark’s youngest members, the project became more than a fundraiser—it was a lesson in compassion, gratitude, and the power of working together. The enthusiasm for the initiative was contagious, evolving into a multi-generational effort. Parishioners and church members joined in, inspired by the students’ commitment to making a difference.

Dupie Cochran, a longtime St. Mark’s parishioner, reflected on how a transformative experience in Africa during his college years led him to support the initiative. “I saw firsthand how people in rural areas walked everywhere, carrying supplies they needed to just get by,” he said. “The addition of bikes to their routine would literally accelerate their capacity to live their lives. I find it particularly meaningful that the children in our church are learning how they can make a difference in the larger world beyond their own.”

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