A pre-Christmas amnesty for Oshawa parking fines is again being offered to put a smile on a needy child's face - and those of motorists and enforcement officers.
Drivers who get tickets from Dec. 1-10 for the fourth year will have the option of contributing to the 19th annual Durham Regional Police toy and food drive.
They can donate a new unwrapped toy with a supporting cash register receipt to show the gift is worth or exceeds the value of the ticket.
All toys will be distributed to needy children - from newborns to 18-year-olds - in time for Christmas.
"The Toys for Tickets program is a great way to give back to the community and help less fortunate families," city officials said in Friday's announcement.
The offer is not extended to anyone illegally parking in an "accessible place".
Oshawa last year collected more than triple the value toys it received the first year, when $860 worth of presents, a transformer, gift cards, games and puzzles were donated, including some by a store and people who weren't ticketed.
Laura Hicks, the city's operations co-ordinator of the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services branch, recalled one happy driver who ran into a store and spent $21 for a doll and stroller instead of paying a $20 fine for parking on a boulevard.
"It was a nice thing for him to do," she said, adding that motorists who regard ticket-issuers as Grinches are fonder of them if they are offered the alternative.
Toys can be dropped off at Service Oshawa, inside the city hall at 50 Centre St. S. on Dec. 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Drivers who get tickets from Dec. 1-10 for the fourth year will have the option of contributing to the 19th annual Durham Regional Police toy and food drive.
They can donate a new unwrapped toy with a supporting cash register receipt to show the gift is worth or exceeds the value of the ticket.
All toys will be distributed to needy children - from newborns to 18-year-olds - in time for Christmas.
"The Toys for Tickets program is a great way to give back to the community and help less fortunate families," city officials said in Friday's announcement.
The offer is not extended to anyone illegally parking in an "accessible place".
Oshawa last year collected more than triple the value toys it received the first year, when $860 worth of presents, a transformer, gift cards, games and puzzles were donated, including some by a store and people who weren't ticketed.
Laura Hicks, the city's operations co-ordinator of the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services branch, recalled one happy driver who ran into a store and spent $21 for a doll and stroller instead of paying a $20 fine for parking on a boulevard.
"It was a nice thing for him to do," she said, adding that motorists who regard ticket-issuers as Grinches are fonder of them if they are offered the alternative.
Toys can be dropped off at Service Oshawa, inside the city hall at 50 Centre St. S. on Dec. 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
