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

About 17 bicycles thrown away at Rutherford County convenience centers were refurbished by the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center garden trustees with help from Greenhouse Ministries volunteers.

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

Sheriff Robert F. Arnold said the project helped instill pride in the inmates who were able to contribute to their children’s Christmas while incarcerated.

“We did a green project,” Arnold said. “We helped the kids and the environment. We saved the bicycles from the landfill and provided a better Christmas for the children of inmates.”