WILMINGTON — There was much to celebrate this year when it came to Hurricane basketball, including bicycles.

That’s right, bicycles!

For the last several years, Harvest of Gold has continued to warm the hearts of Wilmington school children with its bicycle incentive which awards one boy and one girl a bicycle and helmet during halftime of every home varsity basketball game.

Bicycles are awarded based on the recommendation of classroom teachers and building principals to students who have demonstrated outstanding improvement in the classroom. Harvest of Gold then invites students and their families to attend the basketball game where students are presented a certificate of achievement and a bicycle.

Harvest of Gold is a non-profit after school and summer reading and tutoring program committed to helping area youth by providing academic support, role models and mentoring, culturally sensitive recreation activities, family bonding, goal setting and achievement.

According to Executive Director Eleanor Harris, when the program initially began, Harvest of Gold provided the bicycles and helmets presented to the students, but when funds began to run low, community members and area businesses began offer support by donating bicycles, helmets, or funds to purchase bikes and helmets.

This year’s winners include:

• From Denver Place Elementary— kindergartners Kallaje Carter and Heavenly Csaszar; first-graders Laila Salisbury and Austin Trivett; second-graders Zoey Frank and Drayven Yantz; and third-graders Javree Coffman.

• From East End Elementary — kindergartners Emily Leon and Dakota Asbury; first-graders Alyssia Walden and Braven Hayslip; second-graders Jazzy Brown and Kurtis Bowen; and third-graders Ethan Jones and Jasmine Leon.

• From Holmes Elementary — kindergartners Gracie Jump and Jacob Elzey; first-graders Darrius Marksberry and Mylena Coker; second-graders August Hughes and David Young; and third-graders Julius Moore and Gracie Keith.

If you would like to serve as a volunteer for Harvest of Gold, please contact Eleanor Harris at 937-382-8669. Financial donations may be sent to Harvest Of Gold, Inc., P.O. Box 1061 Wilmington, OH 45177.

Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools. ​​

Holmes Elementary celebrates the second-grade bicycle winners. Pictured are teacher Colleen Kelly, August Hughes, Principal Carrie Zeigler, David Young and teacher Rich Young.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_HOG-Holmes-16-17-1.jpgHolmes Elementary celebrates the second-grade bicycle winners. Pictured are teacher Colleen Kelly, August Hughes, Principal Carrie Zeigler, David Young and teacher Rich Young. Courtesy photos

Denver Place’s Zoey Frank (shown with her big brother Gavin and Principal Karen Long) is rewarded for a job well done!

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_HOG-DP2-16-17-1.jpgDenver Place’s Zoey Frank (shown with her big brother Gavin and Principal Karen Long) is rewarded for a job well done! Courtesy photos

East End’s winners were all smiles long after receiving their bikes and helmets. From left are Dakota Asbury, Emily Leon, Jasmin Leon, Jazzy Brown, Kurtis Bowen, Braven Hayslip, and Ethan Jones.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_HOG-EE-2016-17-1.jpgEast End’s winners were all smiles long after receiving their bikes and helmets. From left are Dakota Asbury, Emily Leon, Jasmin Leon, Jazzy Brown, Kurtis Bowen, Braven Hayslip, and Ethan Jones. Courtesy photos