Rutherford County Adult Detention Center inmates Jesse Burgess, James Roden, Brandon Climer and Chad Ghee pose with bicycles they repaired for children for Christmas. (Photo submitted)

Inmates at the Adult Detention Center spent time over the holidays refurbishing several bicycles for charity and their families, according to a Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office press release.

What started out as discarded bicycles ended up as Christmas presents for local children.

About 17 bicycles that had been thrown away at Rutherford County convenience centers were refurbished by Adult Detention Center garden trustees with help from Greenhouse Ministries volunteers, who provided tools and equipment.

“We did a green project,” Sheriff Robert Arnold said. “We helped the kids and the environment.”

Deputy Arthal Minter, who supervises the garden trustees, said they repaired and cleaned the bicycles, and then donated the bikes to their own children, Journey Home parents and other children who needed presents for Christmas.

Arnold said the project allowed inmates to contribute to their children’s Christmas while being incarcerated.

“We saved the bicycles from the landfill and provided a better Christmas for inmates’ families from bicycles rebuilt with pride by the inmates,” he said.