Got a parking ticket in King? You can pay fine with toy donation

Toys for tickets

Yorkregion.com
November 5, 2019
Sheila Wang

With Christmas less than two months away, King Township wants to get people into the spirit of giving for the holiday season.

The newly-launched initiative "Toys for Tickets" allows people who receive a parking ticket between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 to give back to the community by paying the fine with a toy donation of equal or greater value of the ticket.

The toys will go to the underprivileged children in the township through a program “Christmas in King.”

“No one likes receiving a parking ticket,” King Mayor Steve Pellegrini said. “By allowing residents to pay their fine by purchasing a toy, they’ll help make the holiday season a little brighter for local underprivileged children.”

Mayor said he hoped the new program this year would put smiles on the faces of the kids in need.

The program was scheduled to begin on Nov. 1, the same day the winter parking restrictions come in effect every year in King, according to Jason Ballantyne, King’s spokesperson.

Vehicles are restricted from parking on any roadway in the township between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. from Nov. 1 to April 15 to allow for the clearing of snow and passage of emergency vehicles.

The average fine for illegal on-street parking during the winter season in King is around $40, and parking fines may vary depending on the type of infraction, according to the spokesperson.

“The first phase (of the winter parking restriction) is about educating people,” Ballantyne said. “Instead of dropping them a ticket and saying lesson learned, we’re giving people an opportunity to do things that will have a positive impact for local underprivileged children.”

Through the new initiative, township staff partner with a local donation program Christmas in King to help bring gifts to less fortunate kids.

The donated toys must be new and in original packaging with proof of purchase. Individuals are required to drop off the donations in person no later than Nov. 30 at King’s municipal centre at 2585 King Rd., King City.

Accessible parking and fire route violations are not eligible for the program.

Christmas in King is an annual volunteer-run program that aims to help all families have a merry Christmas.

As a sister organization of the King Township Food Bank, Christmas in King reaches people needing assistance beyond the food bank, according to Carol Ann Trabert, community liaison for the program. This year, the program will be helping about 200 people.

In addition to paying the parking tickets to the township with toy donations, there are several other ways of making contribution to the program including donating a hamper of festive goods, sponsor a Santa box, or donate funds.

The program will be accepting donations through Dec. 10.