Raleigh 3rd graders thought they were going to an assembly. They got new bikes instead
Christmas came three weeks early for the entire third-grade class at Walnut Creek Elementary School, where the students learned Wednesday they were all getting a free bicycle.
The gifts came with drama after the students at Wednesday’s assembly were told they were cheering on three students who would get a bicycle for winning an essay contact. But the school gym erupted in cheers with the big reveal that all 112 third-grade students would get their own bicycle and helmet.
“He is totally elated because we want to teach him how to ride that bicycle,” said Mary Allgood, whose grandson Malachi Oyeneyin got a bicycle. “That is so nice that they gave them bikes.
“Oh, I just think it’s wonderful that they gave all the kids a bike. That is unbelievable.”
Helping less fortunate children with bikes
The holiday cheer is courtesy of the Triangle Spokes Group, which has given 8,360 bicycles over the past 18 years to less fortunate children.
For the past two years, Triangle Spokes has teamed up with the Wake County school system’s Title I program, which serves schools with large numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Bicycles were given to students in four Wake schools this year.
Taylor Evans, the assistant principal at Walnut Creek Elementary, said the school gladly accepted the non-profit group’s offer. Walnut Creek serves 565 students in Southeast Raleigh.
“We know some of our students may not be able to afford bicycles,” Evans said. “So this was an opportunity that we jumped on because it would provide our students the opportunity to have some things that they may not have originally been afforded.”
The school is arranging with the parents how to pick up the bicycles. If needed, Evans said she and other school employees will drive to the homes of students to deliver the bicycles.
Teaching students to think big
It’s not purely a gift-giving opportunity though. It’s also a way for students to work on their reading and writing skills.
The third-grade students read the book “Think Big. Work Hard. Be Kind. No Excuses” from the Bikes For Kids Foundation. Students are then asked to write an essay based on the book’s themes.
“The chance to break the cycle of generational poverty is a big driver in this character-building book,” said Jenn Nowalk, a co-founder of Triangle Spokes. “Third grade is a very impressionable age where they really start to realize about their future selves and that they can be the decision-makers in their life “
Jamison Rivers won first place with his essay about his dream of becoming a police officer.
“I need to encourage myself and others by helping people and making good choices,” Rivers wrote in his essay. “My future dream is to become a police officer. This is important to me because I want to be a hero.”
As pleased as Rivers was to win a bicycle, the third-grader was even happier that all his classmates got one as well.
“It feels good,” Rivers said. “I can ride with my friends today.”
How to donate to Triangle Spokes Group
Go to trianglespokesgroup.org/donate/ for more information on how to donate to Triangle Spokes Group. It costs the group $140 to provide a child with a bicycle and helmet.
