The beautiful wreaths you see in Erie County parks at this time of year were made by inmates in the Erie County Correctional Facility.
After years of sitting dormant, the sheriff’s office has revived the inmate wreath program, just in time for the holidays.
Inmates collect pine bows and pinecones from the trees on the facility’s grounds. Each are meticulously painted by hand and then fastened to the frame.
This week, wreaths were delivered to the Valley Community Center in Buffalo’s Old First Ward for their annual Christmas party. They were then distributed to seniors in the surrounding neighborhood and families who cannot afford a Christmas tree.
Additional wreaths will be handed out to Friends of the Night People, the Belle Center and Little Portion Friary.
Inmates continue to produce wreaths through early next week. More will be placed in Erie County parks and distributed to additional community-based organizations.
