Academy Sports and Outdoors Donates 30 Bikes to Bibb School Students

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One local sporting goods store is giving back to the community and treated students at Bruce Elementary School in Macon with a two wheel surprise on Friday.

One by one, Bruce Elementary students walked in their gym with unexpected gifts right around the corner.

When they woke up this morning 30 students had no idea they’d receive bikes.

“This year they gave away 3300 bikes. And it was just a privilege and just an honor to be able to do this with Bruce Elementary,” store director Michael Maguire said.

For the past eight years, Academy Sports and Outdoors donates bicycles and helmets to kids encouraging them to be outside and active.

Maguire says it’s an opportunity to connect with the community.

“I absolutely enjoyed this especially during the Christmas time where you know this is the time for giving. I’ve got children of my own so it’s really just a great expectation to be able to do this for the children.”

Principal Ramon Johnson and his staff wanted to do something positive for kids who are doing well in school.

He thinks the timing of the bike donations, couldn’t have been any more perfect…just in time for the holidays.

“Well it’s a great partnership that Academy Sports and Bruce Elementary school has. Here at Bruce Elementary school, we’re trying to promote academic excellence as well as physical fitness,” Johnson said.

“Kids who have all A’s or all A’s and B’s. Those kids who are also promoting good character in the classroom, and those kids who are also performing in the P.E. classes as well,” he said.

And for 30 lucky 1st and 2nd graders, it’s an opportunity to be proud of the work they’ve done and maybe even pop a few wheelies.

Academy Sports and Outdoors plans on donating about 3300 bikes all around the country by the end of the year.