The 18th Annual Christmas Playpen toy collection process came to an end Wednesday, but the joy it brings to children in the Bismarck community is just beginning.

Dave Heidt, the officer who oversees Christmas Playpen at the Missouri Valley Correctional Facility, said all the toys have been repaired and are ready to go.

"This year we may have had less in quantity of toys, but we made up for it with the quality of toys," Heidt said.

Christmas Playpen is run by the Bismarck Tribune, Salvation Army, Dan's Supermarket and the North Dakota State Penitentiary. Used toys and bicycles were donated by community members and repaired by inmates at the Missouri Valley Correctional Facility.

Toys will be put on display at the Salvation Joy Shop on 601 S. Washington St. beginning Monday and parents and guardians can select gifts for children. Brenda Kriedeman, Salvation Army director of social services, said people must have an appointment to pick gifts from the Joy Shop.

Anyone who could benefit from the Joy Shop can call Kriedeman at 319-0184.

"Right now with all the agencies assisting the public in our community, no child should go without a good Christmas," Kriedeman said.

In addition to the repaired toys at the Joy Shop, parents can select from new clothing, hats and gloves donated by the public.

"Shopping at the Joy Shop is a lot harder than paying for gifts because people have to set their pride down," Kriedeman said. "These presents are from the parents. They have done the real work here."

Heidt said, overall, this year's toy collection went well.

"Even though it seemed like donations were down a little, we filled up our storage space," he said.

Kriedeman said she was pleased with the community's response to the project.

"So many wonderful toys were collected this year," she said. "The community's support has just been tremendous. This community always comes through to help people in need."

Last year, 6,000 gifts were given through Christmas Playpen to 1,063 children. More than 400 bikes were given away.

(Reach reporter Katie Brown at 250-8225 or katie.brown@;bismarcktribune.com.)