Third Graders Surprised With New Bikes

The entire third grade class at McKinley Elementary School was gifted brand-new bicycles during a recent assembly, all thanks to a surprise donation from the Los Angeles Kings Care Foundation. 

A total of 90 students received new bikes and matching helmets as part of the foundation’s G.O.A.L.S. program, aimed at promoting wellness and character-building activities sponsored by the LA Kings and Blue Shield of California.

Earlier in the year, the third grade students learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and were encouraged to enter an LA Kings contest to win a new bike by writing an essay about his famous "I Have a Dream” speech. 

But here’s the catch: the students thought only three lucky contest winners would be selected. 

On Feb. 14, McKinley held an assembly to announce the winners and the auditorium quickly filled with cheers and enthusiastic jumps as the students discovered they would all be going home with new bikes and helmets. 

McKinley staff, local volunteers and representatives from the LA Kings worked together the evening before the assembly to build all 90 bikes just in time for the big news. 

The assembly also featured appearances from the LA Kings mascot Bailey the Lion and members of the Ice Crew, who read some of the students’ essays.