Normally a bright orange envelope tucked under a windshield wiper is a sure-fire way to ruin a driver’s day. But next week, that common urban occurrence could make a needy child’s holiday.
Anyone who receives a non-public safety parking ticket in Boston from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 will be able to pay off his fine by donating a non-violent toy or combination of toys equal to the value of his fine to the city’s eighth annual Toys for Tickets campaign.
Boston Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tracey Ganiatsos said the city will be teaming up again with the U.S. Marine Corps to collect toys for the Marine-run Toys for Tots foundation.
“It always has been successful … [and] I think drivers really enjoy participating,” said Ganiatsos. “We have some people that don’t even get a ticket that bring in a toy anyway.”
Last year the citywide campaign gathered more than $3,000 in toys, she said.
The Italian Home for Children in Jamaica Plain has received donations from the foundation in the past and hopes to again this year, said director Alicia Chick.
“Anything that can give more gifts to the kiddies can’t be a bad idea,” she said.
Toy donations through the program will be accepted at City Hall Dec.10 through Dec. 14.
“We are excited to once again work with the Toys for Tots program to do whatever we can to ensure that no child is left without presents on Christmas morning,” Mayor Thomas Menino said in a press release.