Students Turn Wrenches at The Common Wheel

Franklin & Marshall students are rolling up their sleeves to refurbish bikes at The Common Wheel.

Through F&M’s Ware Institute for Civic Engagement, students volunteer weekly to help the nonprofit gear up for their annual Maryann Caldwell Spring Bike Fling slated for May 15. The event provides free bikes, helmets and accessories to 150 youth in the School District of Lancaster.

Leading the helm at The Common Wheel is F&M alumna Adriana Atencio '12.

“The Common Wheel has been lucky to partner with F&M for years,” she said.

Prior to Common Wheel, Atencio worked as the F&M Works program manager. In 2021, she was selected as a Baldwin Leadership fellow. This prestigious 18-month program through The Lancaster County Community Foundation works to build strong community leaders.

See what Atencio has to say about her F&M experience, and view a slideshow of current students turning wrenches at The Common Wheel.

F&M: Can you talk about your path from F&M to The Common Wheel?

Atencio: F&M prepared me to tackle just about anything, which is what I handle here at The Common Wheel. As co-executive director, I have myriad duties which draw on my F&M background. Grant writing utilizes the writing skills I gained through the hours of reading and writing in my comparative literary studies minor (Atencio majored in European studies). Then, as the former F&M Works Program Manager, I made invaluable connections through the nonprofit community here in Lancaster that I still rely on today. F&M has been essential in my development as a nonprofit leader.

Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Students volunteer at The Common Wheel on Wednesday evenings during the spring semester. Each year, the nonprofit collects and refurbishes bikes to donate to Lancaster youth. Image Credit: Deb Grove
"F&M has been essential in my development as a nonprofit leader," said Adriana Atencio '12, co-executive director at The Common Wheel. Image Credit: PhotOlé Photography