It will be a merrier Christmas for two area needy children, thanks to the generosity of Ironton Middle School students.

The IMS students donated their spare change to purchase two bicycles that will be given away, one to a student at West Ironton Elementary and the other to a student at Kingsbury Elementary.

Each year the bikes are donated in memory of Glen Holmes, a middle school teacher who died three years ago. IMS teacher George Gagai said Holmes began the bike giveaway a few years before he died. Students have opted to keep the tradition alive.

"I think it's nice, thoughtful," Skylar Corbin said of the bike giveaway. He was one of the IMS students who dug deep in their pockets and came up with the money.

Teachers at the other two school will select the needy children who will receive the bikes.

"I hope they'll appreciate what someone did for them and someday do something good for someone else," Gagai said.