SHERMAN, TX-- Academy Sports and Outdoors is making sure children in Texoma don't go without a present under the tree this holiday season. They're donating more than one thousand bikes nationwide and a few those are going to some lucky kids right here in Texoma. Daniel Armbruster reports.

Twenty six bikes and helmets will go to some lucky boys and girls this holiday season. Half of them were donated at the grand re-opening of the boys and girls club in Denison last month and Tuesday was the big day for the Sherman boys and girls club.

Straight from their store in Sherman- 13 bikes..7 for boys...and 6 for girls...
Academy Sports and Outdoors donated the bikes as part of a nationwide program.

The private retail company is donating $120,000 worth of bikes and helmets to schools and organizations this holiday season. Workers unloaded the bikes Tuesday evening at the Boys and Girls Club in Sherman.

"You know a bike is a neat gift. Because when you ask kids about bikes their face seems to light up,” said Mike Delong, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Sherman.

Delong said the club has chosen to donate the bikes on a “needs” basis.

"We find needy kids that participate at the Boys and Girls Club and that do a good job in school and give them a bike for Christmas,” said Delong.

Jason Klas's son, Alex, is one of the lucky recipients. He says he wasn't expecting the phone call.

"Surprised I guess. I wasn't expecting a phone call to pick up a bike for my son so it was a good deal,” said Klas.

Doug Hotalen, general manager at the Sherman Academy Sports and Outdoors says the program is offering more than 1600 bikes and helmets to kids across the country.

"Academy likes to support the communities in any way possible and this is one of their ways. And this year they decided to donate 1650 bikes to the communities that our stores are based,” said Hotalen.

Both Delong and Klas say they're thankful for the generosity. Klas says his 8 year old son will be very happy come Christmas morning.

"It's awesome I can't wait to see his face. He was wanting a bike anyways so I guess this worked out perfect,” said Klas.

To keep the recipient list confidential there was no formal ceremony.