SACO — Young School second grader Evan Boothby received some exciting news at Wednesday’s morning assembly: He had won a brand-new bicycle.

“This is the best day ever,” he said.

Boothby was one of 30 second graders who received a bicycle and helmet through the Masonic Books for Bikes program. Boys received black and red bicycles; girls received blue and pink bicycles with sparkly tassels on the handle bars.

“It’s really nice. The colors are really pretty,” said second grader Bristol Dudley.

Students were asked to fill out an entry ticket for every book they read, and each ticket was entered into a drawing. Winners were announced Wednesday morning.

“Seven hundred books – that is spectacular,” said Saco Masonic Lodge No. 9 member Andy Nightingale to the students. “Great job, way to go!”

In prior years, the Books for Bikes program has been administered by other lodges in the state, said Saco Masonic Lodge No. 9 member Mike Tremblay. The Maine Masonic Charitable foundation gave $2,000 toward the purchase of the bicycles, and the local lodge raised more than $1,000 through various sponsors, he said.

Saco Masonic Lodge No. 9 also gave 30 bicycles to students at Fairfield School. Nightingale said the lodge plans to make it an annual event, and hopes to expand it to C.K. Burns School next year.

“This was incredibly generous and thoughtful,” said Principal Peter Harrison. “We are just pleased and thankful to be working with them.”

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribunecom.