Generosity has not ebbed in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

Donations of new and used items for the Christmas Playpen appear to be coming in at a healthy pace in its first two weeks of operation.

Gently used toys and bikes are being collected through Dec. 8 at a storage unit near Dan's Supermarket South on Washington Street in Bismarck. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The toys are taken to inmates at the Missouri River Correctional Center and the the New England women's prison for repair.

"To my knowledge, it's going good," said Keith Grabowski, director of the MRCC. He said between six and eight inmates are helping with the repairs of used items being collected from that site.

"We've gotten a lot of things in. We've gotten a lot of bikes working now. They got 100 done so far,"said Joy Landeis, a correctional officer overseeing the project. "They're getting everything from tricycles to bikes for teenagers," Landeis said. "They're doing everything - painting them, fixing them up, replacing the seat, handles and the tires."

Landeis said some local merchants and chain stores are even donating items like water bottles for bikes that have containers for them.

Some of the worn bikes are being accepted for parts.

"Electronic-wise, we're getting things like Leap Frogs and remote-control cars. They're cleaning them up and putting in new batteries," she said. "We're also seeing some good Barbie Doll house and kitchen sets."

"We're also seeing new train sets and basketballs that are still in the packages," Landeis said.

"We're not seeing a lot of teenage stuff," she said. Items like roller blades and jewelry boxes would be welcome, she said.

Items also are coming in for the female inmates at the New England facility to repair. "I've got six bags of dolls. The ladies clean them and make outfits for them," Landeis said.

"We greatly appreciate what is being dropped off. We hope it keeps coming," she added.

Landeis said repaired and cleaned items will be delivered to the Salvation Army the week of Dec. 8 through Dec. 12.

In mid-December, the new and repaired items will be made available for families to select for children at the Salvation Army's "Joy Shop."

"It's nice to see people are willing to donate to people in need," Landeis said.

Helen Winstryg, case manager at the Salvation Army office at 601 S. Washington St., also said new and electronic items are being collected there as part of the project.

Winstryg said any business interested in setting up a giving tree may contact her at 223-1889. "We have one set up at Cracker Barrel for a mixture of ages," she said.

She also can be contacted for personal needs of a specific family.

Winstryg said donations are needed for teens and pre-teen interests. "They like mp3 players, iPods, sporting boards, skateboards, CD players, portable radios and movies teens like."

Winstryg said electronic learning games for K-8 students also are welcome.

According to Winstryg, it is difficult to gauge how many gifts will come in versus the need. She senses there is more people struggling this year.

"They may not have the same number of gifts, but they will have something," she said. She hasn't seen donations slack in food pantry donations or other items the Salvation Army collects. Winstryg also welcomes volunteers for the project.

Organizers also thank Dan's Supermarket for providing lot space, Garbage Plus in collecting materials not acceptable and Go Mini for the storage space provided. Donations of computers, stuffed animals and used clothing are discouraged.

Cash donations for the Christmas Playpen for repair supplies and new items should be sent to the Christmas Playpen, care of Bobette Miller, Bismarck Tribune, P.O. Box 5516, Bismarck, N.D. 58504.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)