The early Wednesday morning rain went through Jefferson soon enough to allow for a community event with the elementary students.

Wednesday was National Bike to School Day and all kindergarten through fourth graders, along with their parents and community members were invited to ride their bicycles to the elementary school from the Greene County Extension Office. Elementary Physical Education Instructor and organizer Sean Thompson was thrilled that the rain didn’t interfere with their plans and lots of people showed up to participate.

“We had a great turnout this year. We had about 200 last year and we started gathering in here at the Iowa State (Greene County) Extension Office and I quit counting after 200. So I know I have a few new kids that joined us this year because last year they said, ‘Well why didn’t I do this last year?’ So we’re probably over 200 this year.”     

Thompson pointed out the reason for doing this activity for the fourth consecutive year was that he continues to believe that children are not riding bikes to go places anymore and it is a life skill. 

Additionally, Thompson talked about getting bikes into fourth graders hands again earlier this week.

“I put a survey out to all parents (with kids in the) fourth grade asking if their student has a bike or if they do, is it in working condition, would they like a new one? And so we hooked up with Jamie Daubendiek at Jefferson Telecom and he donated 30 bikes this year to kids that needed a bike or wanted one.”   

Thompson added that the Jefferson Kiwanis Club received a grant to purchase and donate 90 bike helmets that were handed out to all fourth graders this past Monday.