The holiday season is a time when many British Columbians reach out and help those in need. This year, that includes BC Corrections staff and inmates at the two correctional centres in Maple Ridge.

Inmates at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women continue their annual tradition of crocheting blankets for Rwanda. The 150 blankets are for the Mum's Health Project in Kigeme, Rwanda. As well a handful of the women helped wrap gifts for the Christmas Haven in Maple Ridge.

Fraser Regional Correctional Centre is supporting the Adopt a Family Program by fulfilling a family's members' Christmas wish lists and providing all the fixings for Christmas dinner. Both staff and inmates are involved.

Other initiatives:

* Donations are being collected by staff at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre.

* Inmates Fraser Regional Correctional Centre made working wooden toys and items to donate to schools and local non-profits.

* Staff and inmates at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women are helping to wrap presents and organizing a dinner for the Christmas Haven event.

* Staff at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre are helping out four-legged family members through their second annual food drive for the SPCA.