VIDALIA — Very few moments are as memorable as a child’s first bike ride.

And for two decades, Sheriff Randy Maxwell has made that memory possible for dozens of area children.

For those who can’t afford a bike, Maxwell and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office’s annual holiday bike program collect, repair and donate bikes.

Each year, since 1990, the department gives away 250 to 300 bikes.

Residents donate used bicycles, and trusties make the needed repairs before the bikes are picked up a few days before Christmas.

Applications to receive a repaired bicycle by the CPSO will be accepted from Dec. 6 through Dec. 16, and can be picked up in room 7, on the second floor of the courthouse in Vidalia.

Maxwell said the repair work on the used bicycles and tricycles is nearly complete, but anyone who still wishes to donate a used bike or bike parts can drop them off behind the courthouse during the daytime hours.

Maxwell said the program has approximately 200 bikes ready to hand out at the moment, but would love to see more.

Maxwell also said monetary donations are being accepted for paint and other repair supplies, and can be mailed to CPSO Bike Program, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, 4001 Carter St., Rm. 7, Vidalia, LA 71373.

Maxwell started this program in the first year of his administration and said he enjoys giving children a gift they may otherwise not have under their tree.

“Nothing can replace the smile on a little child’s face at Christmas,” he said. “At the sheriff’s office, we take great joy in being just a small part of that.”