These Middle School Kids GIve Back In Laguna Beach: Bike Building

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Students in Laguna Beach Unified School District are learning there is more to life than just reading, writing and arithmetic. At Thurston Middle School, kids are also learning about their community and the world they live in, according to a district spokesperson.

In the winter of 2018, over 30 Thurston Middle School students gave back by building bicycles to donate to the Village of Hope at Orange County Rescue Mission.

The bicycles built became part of the OC Rescue Mission's Christmas toy drive tradition, according to a spokesperson from the facility. At the Village of Hope Christmas celebration, the neediest of Orange County and those who donate to them gathered together for food, fun, to see and play in real snow, to meet Santa Claus and do "holiday shopping" at the Village of Hope Christmas store. The bikes became part of that program.

"Thurston Middle School WEB leaders are committed to making an impact on their school community," LBUSD spokesperson Anakaren Ureno said over social media. "They took their experience back to Thurston to share with their peers and inspire a culture of giving."

Here are some of the recipients' reactions:

Photo, courtesy Laguna Beach Unified School District