'Tis the season to be jolly. The Christmas season is a time of giving, and a time of showing what the holiday season is truly about.

This holiday season the Bismarck Transition Center, a halfway house for convicted felons, had a group of men dedicate their personal time to provide necklaces for those in need of a Christmas gift.

Anthony Matthews led the way for this group, consisting of William Feltus, Jay Billof, Mike Leonard, Terrance Schneider, Joe Goodin and Loren Sayler. Their holiday spirit motivated them to take part in making necklaces for the community. Matthews got everything started by providing the supplies and the rest of the group contributed their efforts.

The inspiration, Matthews said, came from the spirit of Christmas. "It's Christmas time, and this is our way to give back to the community," he said.

The group spent a total of 40 hours to make enough necklaces to be given out.

Many necklaces were made and each will be given to someone in the community who needs something for the Christmas season, said Jessica Messmer, the work release coordinator at the Bismarck Transition Center.

The first group of necklaces will go to foster children, who will receive their necklaces at a Christmas party. The rest will be given to other community members that need something for Christmas, such as the Abused Adult Resource Center.

This isn't the first time the Bismarck Transition Center has had residents involved with gift giving. Last December, several of the residents used their money to buy toys for kids. And the same thing is happening this year with the residents. Some donate money and others contribute their time, said Messmer.

Besides the group of necklace makers, there were other providers for the necklaces.

Claire's, Walkers n' Daughters Jewelers and Wal-Mart all donated boxes for storing the necklaces and taking them to the recipients.

The whole group said the necklaces are a gesture that made them feel good and proud.

(Megan Nitschke is a senior at Mandan High School.)