Breakstone, White & Gluck Supports Local Efforts to Give Afghan Refugees Bikes and Helmets

Breakstone, White & Gluck donated bike helmets to support the International Institute of New England and Bikes Not Bombs as they work to collect bikes for Afghan refugees.

Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate 60 bicycle helmets to support the International Institute of New England (IINE) and community groups as they give Afghan refugees bikes for transportation.

IINE has been working with many companies, organizations and individuals to help Afghan refugees resettle in the Boston area. IINE and Bikes Not Bombs in Jamaica Plain are now seeking donations of used adult bicycles (in good or repairable condition). Bikes Not Bombs and other volunteers will conduct safety checks and make minor repairs before bikes are distributed to those in need.

Each bike will be given away with a helmet, lock, light, and bike safety literature. Bikes Not Bombs will donate free bike lights and provide discounted bike locks while Breakstone, White & Gluck has donated a supply of helmets. MassBike helped IINE prepare the bike literature in the Dari and Pashtu languages. Others, such as Rozzie Bikes and Temple Emmanuel of Newton, have also been involved or have expressed interest in collecting bikes or supporting the effort, IINE’s volunteer coordinator said. The organization is not sure how many bikes they will need or ultimately give away over the next few months.

According to Bikes Not Bombs and IINE, hundreds of refugees have arrived since the fall of Afghanistan and are in need of assistance to be mobile in their communities, to access various resources, and to commute to work — all vital first steps towards self-sufficiency.

“Breakstone, White & Gluck is happy to provide bike helmets to families who are making new lives in America after having recently escaped from Afghanistan,” said Attorney Ron Gluck of Breakstone, White & Gluck. “We hope that these families enjoy safe riding and have a peaceful transition to their new surroundings in the Boston area.”

“The refugees have a real need for bicycles,” said Alan Wright of Rozzie Bikes, who is repairing bikes along with Bikes Not Bombs. “Transportation is a big barrier. In the first few months, the refugees have to get to doctor’s appointments, go out and do groceries and attend English as a Second Language classes. Then they need to find work. And it can take six months to get a driver’s license.”

Bikes Not Bombs and IINE are collecting adult bikes which are in good or repairable condition. If you are interested in donating a bike, please fill out the IINE’s form: https://iine.wufoo.com/forms/z6cvn5q0go3y5q/.

About Breakstone, White & Gluck

With more than 100 years combined experience, Breakstone, White & Gluck specializes in representing those injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. The law firm has been consistently recognized for its results and was recently recognized again with Tier 1 rankings in personal injury and medical malpractice law in the 2022 edition of U.S. News-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.”