Two students at a Collinsville, Illinois school truly know how beloved they are thanks to a grand gesture made by their fellow classmates.

Instead of taking a field trip, as planned, to the St. Louis Science Center, the children voted to use the money to buy 2,400 books and donate them to hospitals where their friends are receiving chemotherapy.

When News Channel 5 told the science center how the kids chose to give up their trip, the CEO showed up with a surprise to honor the kids and their generosity.

(WATCH what happens in the video above from USA Today)