Bike after brand new bike rolled out in front of dozens of excited Highville Charter School second graders in New Haven Wednesday.
"I was happy! I was about to cry," said second grader T'Honnie Edwards.
Edwards and her classmates had no idea they'd get a new ride when they were invited to a BBQ at school on Wednesday. Inside the building the students got food, drinks, and ice cream. The ice cream was donated by Ashley's Ice Cream. Volunteers on the other side of the school prepped all the bikes for the big reveal.
"We kept it a secret, and I can't wait to see the looks on their faces," said Steven Daprino, a second grade teacher.
Daprino worked with the Barnum Foundation for Life. The organization has a Bikes for Kids Program and donated all the bikes and the helmets for the entire second grade class. Over the years the group has given thousands of bikes and helmets to underprivileged kids. The moment students got their hands on the new bikes, they took off.
"It's green which is kind of my favorite color because it looks like yellow," said Edwards.
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Whether a pro on the bike or still figuring out how to balance on two wheels, the sunny weather meant plenty of time to test out the new ride.
"It was the best day ever because I got a brand new bike," said second grader Ny'Yanna Gibson.
It was Gibson's first bike and her dad immediately started teaching her how to ride. In just half an hour she was racing away on her own - her first bike ride completed thanks to that big surprise.
Wednesday's donation brought a lot of smiles and some great rides.
The students will also learn about bike safety at school.
If you'd like to donate to give bikes to kids and to learn more about Barnum Foundation for Life and the Bike for Kids Program, click here.
