Boston's "Toys For Tickets" Program Begins

From Mayor Menino's Office:

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s annual “Toys for Tickets” collection has begun and will run through Saturday, December 17, 2011.  Last year’s Toys for Tickets Campaign raised over $3,000 in toys to brighten the holidays for local, needy children.  

To make it convenient for drivers to participate, three different collection sites have been established this year.  The names of all who participate in this year’s Toys for Tickets Campaign will be automatically entered into a raffle for one of two $25 Boston Meter Cards.  The new Boston Meter Cards, being sold at a 20% discount through December 31, will be available for purchase at all three Toys for Tickets collection locations as listed below.

1. On Saturday, December 10, from 10 AM to 2 PM, from the Boston Transportation Department’s Mobile Command Center which will be parked at Fanueil Hall, adjacent to the Samuel Adams Statue.
2. On Saturday, December 17, from 10 AM to 2 PM, from the Boston Transportation Department’s Mobile Command Center which will be parked in front of the CVS at #587 Boylston Street, between Dartmouth and Clarendon Streets.
3. From Thursday, December 8, through Friday, December 16, from 9 AM to 4 PM, in front of the Office of the Parking Clerk, room 224, Boston City Hall.

Drivers are encouraged to visit one of these three collection sites to resolve their non-public safety related City of Boston parking tickets, issued between Monday, December 5, and Friday, December 9, 2011.  

To participate, an unwrapped, non-violent toy of equal or greater value than the fine on the ticket must be presented along with a receipt for the toy.  

Public safety violations that are excluded from this program are HP Ramp, HP-DV Parking Only, Fire Hydrant, Crosswalk, Double Parking, Fire Lane, Less than 20 Feet from an Intersection, and No Stopping/Standing.

Sales of the new Boston Meter Cards are ongoing, but drivers are reminded that they may want to buy them as holiday gifts or purchase them for their own use in advance as the 20% introductory discount is only in effect through December 31.  

In addition to the three locations listed, Boston Meter Cards may also be purchased online at cityofboston.gov/parking/ or at the BTD Tow Lot, 200 Frontage Road, Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 11 PM, and Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM.