Forty-three children got early gifts when they received new bicycles at the seventh annual giveaway sponsored by Commissioner J.C. Henderson.

The bikes were donated by the Covington Walmart, the Salem Road Walmart, Gary Massey Insurance, Joe Sellers Motors, Louise Strickland, the Law Offices of William Thomas Craig, Rob Fowler, Marcus Jordan, Morgan Container and others.

The bicycles were given away at the Nelson Heights Community Center, which is located at the intersection of Laseter and Puckett streets.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Food Depot donated food, including hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks for the celebration and bags of fruit for those attending.

In addition to the 43 bikes, 25 other gifts were presented.

Henderson said all monetary donations were made directly to Walmart.

Donations also covered the cost of renting the Nelson Heights Community Center, which charges an initial fee of $150 for rentals with additional charges for longer periods of time.

Henderson said he hopes to have a back-to-school-themed giveaway in August at the Nelson Heights center.