by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Christmas came early for two dozen elementary school students Saturday as elves with the Rotary Club of Claremont and Claremont High School Interact Club gifted them new bicycles at their 25th annual bike giveaway.

A rite of passage is captured here between Carolyne Munoz, 7, and her father Tony Munoz as she learns to ride at the Rotary Club of Claremont’s 25th annual bike giveaway on Saturday. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Bikes, locks, and helmets were distributed to students from Oakmont, Vista del Valle, Sumner-Danbury, and Mountain View elementary schools. Steve Ralls, chair of Rotary’s bikes for kids committee, said the event is a “great way to give back to the community and help out the local youth.”

The bicycles were donated by the Rotary Club of Claremont and assembled by members of both organizations and the Claremont Senior Bicycle Group.

“A lot of [the kids] have never even had a bike before, so it’s a great opportunity for our kids to give to those that would really benefit from having a bicycle,” said Interact Club teacher representative Sonny Dabney.

Claremont Police Department Sergeant Nick Martinez and officer Josh Washington were on hand and gave a talk on safe cycling.

“It’s great to see our students helping their community, being involved, working together, and also learning some skills on how to work on a bike and build a bike,” Dabney said.

“And there’s another part of it which is just encouraging kids to do something that’s not electronic,” said Claremont High School Principal James Mitchell.

The annual giveaway is a favorite of Rotary Club past president Ron Coleman, who has emceed the event for the last 14 years.

Titus, 6, gets his new bicycle adjusted by Claremont Senior Bicycle Group’s Marvin Klein (kneeling) and Claremont High Interact club volunteer Mona Tang at Saturday’s Rotary Club of Claremont bike giveaway. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“The very first one that I emceed was my ‘Rotary moment,’ as they call it,” Coleman said. “Whereas the kids came up and got their bikes and they were very nervous, but then when they went out to the parking lot, you could see them shine, smile, and get all excited. And that gives me goosebumps every time I tell somebody the story, because it’s true what they say about giving, that when you give to somebody it comes right back to you. It’s a wonderful thing.”