Organizers of the 20th annual Christmas Playpen found needs for the program's services increased this past holiday season, but said donations and volunteers came through to make it a success.

Coordinators and volunteers met recently at the Missouri River Correctional Center to assess the outcome of the effort.

Organizers said the 2008 Christmas Playpen assisted 1,094 children and 439 families. In 2007, it helped 912 kids and 458 families. Their gifts are distributed annually at the Joy Store in mid-December. It is set up at the Salvation Army on South Washington Street.

Gifts at the Joy Store are a combination of gently used toys and bikes and new items that are age-appropriate.

Each child served received an average of seven items through the Joy Store.

The Christmas Playpen is a team effort involving volunteers, business partners, and financial and item donations from the public.

Inmates from the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck and the Dakota Women's Correctional Rehabilitation Center in New England repair, clean and prepare donated bikes, toys and dolls for the children.

Donations were collected from the public at the Dan's Supermarket parking lot on Washington Street. Storage space was provided by Go Mini. The Bismarck Tribune took in financial donations to buy repair supplies and new items that the children needed.

Many volunteers came from the Bank of North Dakota, Aetna and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Kmart provided support during purchases.

Unusable items were collected by Garbage Plus.

"I thought, overall, it went very well. We had what we needed to help the people," said Helen Wynstryg, case manager for the Bismarck Salvation Army. "My understanding is we did help more."

"We can always use volunteers," she said. Next year, she hopes to have a better estimate of how many will be helping with the project.

Organizers said they could use items like yarn, thread and cloth material for sewing doll clothing for the program in the fall of 2009.

"I would like to thank the people who donated money to buy products for repairs and games for teens," said Bobette Miller, advertising consultant for the Bismarck Tribune.