Dec 03, 2008 - 04:05:27 CST
With only six days remaining to donate, Christmas Playpen organizers are experiencing a healthy dose of generosity from people in Bismarck-Mandan.Workers at a storage unit located at Dan's Supermarket South will be accepting gently used toys, bikes and games through early Monday night.
New toys and electronic gadgets may still be taken to the Salvation Army at 605 S. Washington St. The items will be received between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Cash donations for repair supplies and new products can be mailed to the Bismarck Tribune in care of Bobette Miller at P.O. Box 5516, Bismarck, N.D. 58504.
"The bin is plumb full. A lot of toys seemed to be coming in this last week," said Keith Grabowski, director of the Missouri River Correctional Center.
Inmates at the MRCC mend or paint the slightly damaged bikes or toys for children. Grabowski said their enthusiasm is strong.
Inmate Chris Spicer of Grand Forks has an automotive background and finds his work with the bikes second nature.
Two crews split the duties. One repairs the bikes and the other group mends the toys. "We've already completed 300 bikes in the last three weeks," Spicer said. "We finish about eight a day
"We take them apart. We clean them up and put new parts as we need. We put new tubes in, new brakes, new handle grips. We try to fix them up as good as we can," Spicer said. "I try my hardest to make them look brand new, considering they are Christmas presents."
Spicer finds the work satisfying.
"I just think of kids in general, kids who don't have much. ... I think of all the kids. I hope they get a lot of use out of it and are happy with what they got."
Heather Luchi, case management director for the Dakota Women's Correctional Rehabilitational Center in New England, said she typically has four or five women repairing dolls or sewing clothes for them.
"I think of my friend whose house burned down when I was young. He had to get this kind of help for Christmas," said Amy Wery, who also is serving time at the New England facility.
"I really felt good about giving my time to give a child something that their family can't buy them," said Tara Engesser, another inmate assisting with the project.
"I was very proud to have been picked," said Katherine Mann. She said she hopes the children like the dolls' outfits and hairdoos. She said the work helps her pass the time a little easier. "I kept thinking of my grandchildren."
The repaired and new items that are collected will be assembled in a retail-type setting for the Joy Store at the Salvation Army gymnasium. Parents will visit the store later this month to select items for their children. Gifts will be arranged according to size and age.
Helen Wynstryg, case manager for the Bismarck Salvation Army, estimated some 275 families in need will be assisted by the program this year.
In 2007, some 900 children benefited from the collection-repair effort.
She noted gifts collected for teenagers tend to run low, and more items like cosmetics, perfume, skateboards, appropriate videos, iPods, MP3 players and sporting balls are welcome.
Wynstryg still welcomes volunteers to prepare the Joy Store. Those wishing to help should call 223-1889.
Also credited for being partners in the project are Dan's Supermarket for providing lot space, Garbage Plus for collecting materials not acceptable and Go Mini for the storage space.
(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)
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