Toys for tickets is back

Drivers will once again have the opportunity to do a little good if they find themselves on the wrong end of a parking ticket in Oshawa.

Starting on Nov. 25, motorists who receive a parking ticket in the city are able to donate a new toy in lieu of payment.

On Dec. 7, 8 and 9 only, Service Oshawa will accept new unwrapped toys (accompanied by a cash register receipt indicating the value of the toy) in lieu of payment. Toys will be accepted for children aged newborn to the age of 18 and the value of the toy must equal or exceed the amount owing on the parking ticket. All of the donated toys will go to families in need through the Durham Regional Police Service Food and Toy Drive.

Service Oshawa, located on the first floor of city hall at 50 Centre Street South, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8. On Dec. 9, Service Oshawa will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“This is an amazing opportunity to turn a ticket into a special gift for a child this Christmas and gives residents an opportunity to give back to those who need it the most,” said Councillor Amy McQuaid-England.

The City of Oshawa first introduced the Toys for Tickets program in 2006 and has since collected and donated more than $26,000 worth of toys for children and youth in need through the program.