East Panhandle Times

A senior at Spring Mills High School, Olivia Morrison, has initiated a project that aims to provide hope and a brighter future for families in distant countries. Her Eagle Scout project involved organizing a collection event on November 23 to support Bikes for the World. This initiative allows people in countries like Costa Rica, Ghana, Madagascar, and the Philippines to have access to bicycles for commuting to work, school, and social service agencies.

The event attracted participants from areas as far as Berkeley Springs and Sharpsburg, Maryland. In total, 107 bikes and $640 in donations were collected at Spring Mills High. Helmets and a bike rack were also donated. Morrison explained that some bikes not fit for riding would be dismantled for parts. All donations were packed into a shipping container by Todd McDonald, operations manager for Bikes for the World.

Bikes in good condition will be refurbished and sent to places such as Costa Rica where they can significantly improve residents' lives by reducing travel time typically spent walking. According to Bikes for the World's website, these bikes are also used for vocational training in bicycle repair mechanics, which aids job creation.

Supporters of Morrison's project included fellow Saint Joseph School alumnae Rachael Dong, Lydia Hayes, Jackson Morrison, Kareena Sood, and Julia Stedman. Morrison is part of the Thunder Ducks patrol of Troop 37 in Hedgesville and has been involved with Scouts due to her father's role as a Cub Scout leader.

Her grandparents informed her about Bikes for the World's 20th anniversary this year while she was searching for an organization to support as part of her pursuit of the Eagle Award. After contacting Bikes for the World on September 11, she was drawn to their mission due to her awareness of poverty issues in West Virginia and limited transportation options learned during her participation in the Governor’s Honors Academy.

Morrison's passion extends beyond helping others; she is keen on sustainability—"Keeping the bikes out of landfills or being thrown out in the woods" aligns with her interests. She plans to study sustainability alongside environmental science and possibly engineering in college.

Olivia Morrison has applied to several colleges including Rochester Institute of Technology, Bryn Mawr College, William & Mary College, College of Charleston, and was accepted into West Virginia University's Honors College.

While she still needs to complete additional steps before qualifying for the Eagle award, Morrison feels accomplished with her project: “We’ve made a really big difference,” she said.