With three weeks to go before Christmas, Toledo prison inmates were hard at work Friday assembling children's bicycles.

Six men from Toledo Correctional Institution removed bike frames from boxes and fastened handlebars, seats, and pedals to create the finished product. Their efforts will provide 100 new Huffy bicycles this month to young people in need across northwest Ohio.

This was the third year Anthony Wheatley, 34, volunteered his time for bike assembly. His experience came in handy, as he and his fellow inmates quickly moved from one bike to the next.

“I just want [the children] to have fun on them and have something better for their lives,” Wheatley said.

He compared the unpacking to a Christmas Day of sorts, except the volunteers knew what was wrapped in the boxes. Wheatley said he has pursued several programs to better himself in prison, and this is another chance to help others.

“Sometimes, it takes us to be incarcerated to learn right from wrong,” Wheatley said.

Charles Thompson, 26, was in his second year assisting with the project. Not only are the bicycles nice holiday gifts, but they teach children responsibility, he said.

“I get the chance to give back. It's just beautiful. It's just a blessing,” Thompson said.

Bicycles will be given to 65 children in Lucas County. The remaining 35 bikes will be distributed in Wood, Sandusky, Hancock, and Fulton counties.

Bicycles were donated by Bike Lady, Inc., a nonprofit group based in Columbus that provides new bicycles and gear to children in need. The bicycles were transported from California with funds donated by Teamsters Local 20 and United Auto Workers Local 12.

These bicycles are part of the Lucas County Children Services’ holiday gift drive, said Julie Malkin, an agency spokesman. The program has grown from 50 bikes three years ago and 88 last year to this year’s 100.

“It has just turned out to be one of the best things we’ve ever done,” Ms. Malkin said.

Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.

First Published December 5, 2015, 5:00 a.m.