Mayor Menino Helps Kick Off Toys for Tots Campaign and Announces "Toys for Tickets"

Program allows for any non-public safety tickets to be paid by toy donation

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined members of the United States Marine Corps to help kick off the annual Toys for Tots campaign. The City of Boston has worked closely with the program for several years to ensure that Boston residents have the opportunity to donate toys during the holiday season to less fortunate children. To help encourage donations, Mayor Menino announced the “Toys for Tickets” campaign that allows non-public safety parking tickets to be paid by toy donations.

“During these difficult economic times, families are struggling everyday just to make ends meet,” Mayor Menino said. “After putting food on the table and paying the bills, many parents and guardians don’t have the ability to buy toys. Unfortunately, this means that too many kids are missing out on the joys of the Holiday season. This year the demand will be very high. I am asking everyone to give what they can.”

The “Toys for Tickets” program will allow any driver that is issued a non-public safety parking ticket on Boston’s streets between December 5 and December 9, to resolve their ticket by providing a non-violent, wrapped toy of equal or greater value than the fine on the ticket. Toys will be accepted from December 8 thru December 16 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the second floor of Boston City Hall. To participate in the “Toys for Tickets” program, drivers must bring the parking ticket and a receipt for the toy.

Last year the “Toys for Tickets” campaign contributed over $3,000 in toys to brighten Christmas morning for many children. Public safety violations that are excluded from this program are:

parking in the way of handicapped ramps;

parking in spots reserved for those with handicapped or disabled veteran license plates;

blocking fire hydrants;

parking in crosswalks;

double parking;

parking less than 20 feet from an intersection;

parking in a fire lane;

and being in a no stopping and standing zone.

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