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ROCKWELL CITY - Twenty-three children, their parents and several North Central Correctional Facility staff members left the admissions gate at the facility with a head count of 44 people - and zero bikes - for the short walk to the gym.

Once inside, they were asked to perform a simple task by Capt. Larry Raner who runs the Bikes for Tykes program.

"Can you guys help me call for Santa?" he asked.

They must have been loud enough because their yell was answered with a very jolly "Ho. ho. ho and Merry Christmas," from the red- suited one, who quickly made his appearance.

Santa's task was simple, he called each child up by name, asked them what they wanted for Christmas then sent them along with a red stocking full of goodies to select their very own bike from the almost 100 on hand that had been carefully restored, reconditioned and made safe and good as new by the inmates enrolled in the Bikes for Tykes program.

Denver Heinlen, 7, of Fort Dodge, was one of the first to get called up. He selected a green bike with frame suspension and a racy seat.

His mom, Kris Bockoven, explained that his previous bike had been stolen and a new one was high on his Christmas wish list.

"He wanted a bike," she said. "But I couldn't afford one."

As she watched program inmates Charles Robinson and Bobby Snow adjust the seat just so, make sure the tires had the proper amount of air and that he was going to like it, she looked over the new two-wheeler more carefully.

"That's a really nice bike," she said, as a big smile spread across her face.

Inmate Brian Stover has been involved with the program since this year's batch of restorations began. He was busy Saturday affixing training wheels to some of the bikes, airing up tires and making sure the children were getting a bike that fit them safely.

He explained that being able to give something back was very satisfying.

Raner started the program at the prison. He said that the program gives inmates a sense of worth and an opportunity to help make amends. The inmates do all the work on the bikes themselves.

"They refurbish them from stem to stern," he said.

Spare parts, tires and other supplies needed are donated by the ABATE of Iowa District 10 Chapter with funds raised during various bike runs.

Alisa Schliet, family development specialist with Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc., is responsible for finding the Webster County families that will receive the bikes. This year, many of the families contacted her before the event.

"This is a great program," she said. "They probably would not have gotten a bike without this."

Javontae Sankey, 8, and his brother Treouis, 16, both got bikes at the even. Treouis has been without one for several years.

"It's a pretty nice bike," Treouis Sankey said. "I'm really happy I have another bike."

Javontae Sankey was planning to learn a few stunts on his new set of wheels. He explained he can already do a wheelie had one word for his new ride: "Awesome."

As an added bonus, inmates brought in many of the furry, four-legged participants in the facilities Leadership Dogs program and the Pound Dog program to help chase a few bikes, get scratched behind the ear, retrieve toys and for the lucky ones, nibble a few bites of cookie after sitting nicely.

After everyone had their bikes selected and adjusted, it was time for the group to head back to the gate.

The head count was was still right on at 44 with a good number of those getting there a little faster on their new bikes.

There was a lot more of something else too, something that didn't get counted on the way in: Smiles.

Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net