For years, special education teacher Glenn Holmes encouraged students at Ironton Middle School to donate their change so a needy child in Ironton could receive a bicycle for Christmas.

Holmes died in February and, although he is no longer at the school,

students collected enough change this year to purchase two bicycles.

Alex Waddle, a sixth-grader and former pupil in Holmes' class, had no problem with donating the change he could have spent on himself to help others.

"It made me feel good," Waddle said.

Dylan Harris, a fifth-grader, is aware of the needy in the community that benefit from the students' charitable gift.

"I have a couple of friends like that and would feel bad if I wouldn't help," Harris said.

Holmes orchestrated the donation for as long as his co-workers can remember.

However, in years past he would contribute the remainder of the money needed to purchase the bicycle, according to George Gagai, special education teacher.

Enough money was collected this year to purchase two, Gagai said.

Terry Parker, guidance counselor at Ironton Middle School, said Holmes wanted to teach students that there is joy in giving and that it is truly better to give than to receive.

"It's amazing to see how one life can affect so many children in a positive way," Parker said.

The school plans to continue the program each year in Holmes' memory.