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The City of Sarnia’s Toys for Tickets program better than doubled results in its second year of letting citizens pay for parking tickets with toys of equal or greater value.
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The Dec. 1-15 campaign finished with 74 toys and $ 295 in gift cards this year, collectively valued at $ 1,475, city officials said.
In the program’s inaugural year in 2020, 32 toys and gift cards were donated, valued at more than $ 345.
“The spirit of generosity is alive and well in our community, thanks to the compassion and commitment of our residents and businesses,” building and bylaw manager Adam MacDonald, and community services general manager Stacey Forfar wrote jointly in a recent report.
“We want to express gratitude to everyone who contributed to this meaningful cause,” they said. “Every gift makes a positive and lasting difference that will lift people’s spirits when they need it most.”
CUPE Local 3690, representing middle management and forepersons at the City of Sarnia, donated an additional $ 400 in gift cards to the cause, Forfar and MacDonald wrote.
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton provides the gifts to the Salvation Army, Inn of the Good Shepherd and St. Vincent de Paul Society to distribute to families in need via local hamper programs, city officials have said.
Running the program could cost the city in the range of $ 7,000 to $ 12,000 in lost revenue, given about $ 25,000 in parking-ticket revenue generally comes in during the month of December, officials have said.
“Now, more than ever, we must work together as a community to ensure everyone has a happy holiday,” Forfar and MacDonald wrote.