A BIG surprise

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It is one of the best gifts a child can receive.

A shiny new bike.

This morning Starkville’s Academy Sports and Outdoors partnered with the Starkville Police Department to give 30 students at Sudduth Elementary a new bike and helmet.

Sudduth Elementary made this a surprise event for their students.

But once the kids figured out what was going on, their excitement made them speechless.

While some were at a lost for words others already had plans for their new bike.

“I think I’m gonna ride it fast all the time when I get on the bike,” said Sudduth student, Jada Randle.

Academy store director, Blake Burns, says being a part of an event like this is what the holiday season is all about.

“Oh it’s awesome. It is awesome,” said Burns. “Like I said we’re just really happy to be able to partner with the Starkville Police Department and Sudduth Elementary School to be a part of this. “

It’s also personal to Burns.

“I love doing it every year,” said Burns. 

Burns says this surprise gift is all a part of Academy’s “Active Minded” philosophy.

These bikes encourage kids to get outside as well as be active and promote a healthy lifestyle, and what better way to promote activity than with Starkville’s own bike police.

They came to give the kids basic bicycle instruction.

“If the children are not taught at an early age the proper bicycle safety techniques, to always wear your helmet, and to observe traffic laws you know as far as don’t cross the road without looking both ways I mean they could get seriously injured,” said Jonathan Headley. 

Lieutenant Henry Stewart says the presence of his police officers allows the kids to see a more playful side of law enforcement.

“It shows that our Police Department is in the community,” said Stewart. “That we’re willing to serve at any type of capacity, and always we are willing to build community relations and form partnerships with schools and other organizations.”