88 Bikes founder spreads message of “joy-based philanthropy”

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Dan Austin wants to make the world a better place for kids, one bicycle at a time.

Austin, the cofounder of 88Bikes, spoke 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium to inform students of his foundation, 88 Bikes.

He started the 88Bikes foundation with his younger brother Jared Austin and Nicolas Arauz in November 2006 after a charitable trip to Cambodia convinced him he could do more, he said.

“(The joy of children) takes on a life all its own,” Austin said.

The 88Bikes foundation focuses on “micro-philanthropy” in the form of donating bicycles to underprivileged children worldwide.

Austin bases his work on a concept he calls “joy-based philanthropy.” This philosophy espouses that the little things in life can make a large difference in a positive way.

Oxford junior Rebecca Wissman said she had never heard of the foundation before but was moved by the presentation. She is a frequent bicyclist and felt encouraged to spread the activity’s joy.

“It has moved me to donate two bikes to this organization” Wissman said.

Charlevoix freshman Sarah Green came to the event in the interest of helping out and getting involved with activities outside of Central Michigan University.

“It’s nice to be able to help someone so much with something so small,” she said.

Austin said the 88Bikes foundation has traveled to Vietnam, Nepal, India, Ghana, Utah, Tanzania, and Mongolia in this year alone, and 750 bicycles paid for by donations are  ready to be shipped.

For more information, visit http://www.88bikes.org/home/index.php.