Make a difference while paying off fines with Toys for Tickets

For three days in early December, those in Kingston with outstanding parking tickets will be able to pay those tickets off while making a difference in a child’s holidays.

On Thursday, Dec.1, Friday, Dec. 2 and Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., toys can be donated, in lieu of money, as payment for parking tickets received between Nov. 1 and Dec. 3, 2022— excluding those received for unauthorized parking in an accessible space, the City of Kingston said in a media release.

“We urge everyone with an eligible ticket to take this opportunity to donate a toy,” said Dan Hazell, Supervisor of Enforcement Services. “Your donation will directly benefit a child in our community.”

Toys must be new and unopened, and residents should include a receipt with the toy for proof of value. The value of the toy should be equal to, or greater than, the value of the ticket received. According to the city, recommended toys include: games, cars, dolls, and stuffed toys that are suitable for children aged 0 to 12 years old. Toys requiring batteries or those which promote violence will not be accepted.

Toys for Tickets has run in Kingston annually since 2005. In that time, the program has collected more than 3,600 toys for Kingston children, which are delivered to a local toy drive in time to be distributed to children in need over the holidays. In 2020, instead of collecting toys from the public, the City donated over $6,500 — the average amount raised in recent years through this program — to a local toy drive.

Residents can pay their ticket with a toy at the City Hall Payment Centre or at 1211 John Counter Boulevard. Note that only toy payments can be made at 1211 John Counter Boulevard, as no cash or credit can be accepted at that location.

Toys for Tickets is an optional program, and drivers can continue to pay parking fines online as usual here.