VIDALIA — A quick look behind the Concordia Parish Courthouse will reveal rows of bicycles, tricycles and other wheeled toys.

The toys, however, haven’t been confiscated. Since 1990, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office has accepted used bicycles and other wheeled toys and uses inmate labor to repair them for area children who may not otherwise be able to receive one for Christmas.

“It’s just something to help out the less fortunate in the parish,” Public Information Officer Vernon Stevens said. “It’s a way to help a child that might not be able to have a bicycle or a toy to get one.”

Once donated and repaired the toys are handed out a few days before Christmas.

“They can take a bike that you think looks like junk and fix it up to where it’s a usable, serviceable toy to someone who doesn’t have a bike,” Stevens said.

It’s no small task. Stevens said he expects anywhere from 250 to 400 applications this year.

“That’s a lot of bicycles,” Stevens said. “It’s a lot of toys.”

To do that, the CPSO needs donations including used or new bicycles and other wheeled toys.

“We’ve had some donations of motorized toys, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, any kind of riding toy for a child,” Stevens said.

Even bikes or other vehicles that can’t be completely repaired can be used for parts. Cash donations, Stevens said, are also welcome to purchase parts and other items, such as paint.

And while the bicycles and other toys are handed out to children aged 2 to 15 around the holidays, the CPSO takes donations all year in preparation for next Christmas.

“There’s no time limit on donations,” Stevens said.

Anyone interested in donating bicycles, wheeled toys, parts or other items should bring them to the garage at the back of the Concordia Parish Courthouse. Checks should be made out to the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Bicycle Fund and can be delivered or mailed to the sheriff’s office at 4001 Carter St., Room 7, Vidalia, 71373.

The application period is Dec. 14 to 18. Applications can be picked up at the sheriff’s office.

For more information, the sheriff’s office can be reached at 318-336-5231.