Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of stories highlighting non-profit agencies that need help or donations during the holiday season.

VIDALIA — For the past 17 years, the Christmas wish of local children for a bicycle has been granted by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The CPSO began a Christmas tradition of giving away approximately 300 bicycles a year when Sheriff Randy Maxwell took office in 1990.

The program works on a simple premise: local residents check their carports, garages yards and other property for any old bicycles, tricycles or other riding toys that are no longer in use.

When the citizen drops the bicycle off at the rear of the Concordia Parish Courthouse, located at 4001 Carter St., parish inmates will refinish the bicycles with any repairs and new paint the bicycle needs.

If the bicycle is beyond repair, it is used for parts.

Parents who want their child to receive one of the bicycles may fill out an application at the CPSO’s front office, located in room seven of the Concordia Parish Courthouse.

The sheriff’s office also accepts monetary donations for parts or paint from any business, individual or organization, CPSO Public Information Officer Kathleen Stevens said.

“This is an extremely worthwhile project,” Maxwell said. “Nothing’s better than making a child happy at Christmas.”

“People throughout the Miss-Lou community have really been good in the past to help us with this project,” he said. “Some individuals and businesses have even brought us brand new bikes to give to children. This is what the Christmas season is all about — kids and kindness.”

For further information about the program, contact the CPSO at 318-336-5231, 318-757-3162 or 318-386-2200.