Boston's Mayor Kicks-Off 'Toys For Tickets'
Thomas M. Menino, the mayor of Boston, has joined the United States Marine Corps to help welcome the holidays with the start of the “Toys for Tickets” program.
The City of Boston is working closely with "Toys for Tots" for the last several years to make sure those in need can have something to celebrate this holiday. To make sure support remain strong for needy children, the mayor has decided start a Toys for Tickets program.
The campaign allows those ticketed with nonpublic safety violations to bring in a gift with a receipt, of equal value of the ticket, to one of the collection locations that are to be established.
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“During these difficult economic times, families are struggling everyday just to make ends meet,” said Mayor Menino. “After putting food on the table and paying the bills, many parents and guardians don’t have the ability to buy toys. Unfortunately, this means that too many kids are missing out on the joys of the Holiday season. This year the demand will be very high. I am asking everyone to give what they can.”
The program will allow any driver with a nonpublic safety violation issued from Dec. 5 through Dec. 9 to bring in a wrapped gift in exchange for their ticket.
Toys will be accepted from Dec. 8 through Dec. 16 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the second floor of Boston’s City Hall.
Last year the Toys for Tickets campaign contributed over $3,000 in toys to brighten Christmas morning for many children.
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed more than 5,000 gifts to needy children.
Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children.
