Orillia drivers hit with a parking ticket this fall will once again have the option to turn a fine into a gift. The City of Orillia's annual Toys for Tickets campaign runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, allowing anyone who receives an eligible parking ticket during that window to donate a new children's toy instead of paying the penalty.
According to a City of Orillia news release, the toy must be valued at least as much as the parking fine. Accessible parking violations are not eligible for the program.
Participation requires an in-person visit. Ticket holders must bring their ticket and the toy to Customer Service on the first floor of Orillia City Centre, located at 50 Andrew St. S. Those who would rather not shop for a toy can instead donate the amount of the fine to the campaign by paying with cash, debit or cheque at the same Customer Service counter.
The deadline to make a donation is Dec. 1. Drop-off hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.
The campaign has a long local history. Since it first launched in 2006, more than $52,000 in donations has been provided to local charitable organizations through the program, according to the city, helping brighten the holidays for children and families in the community.
All toys collected through this year's campaign will be donated to local charitable organizations, which distribute them to families in need over the holiday season.
For Orillia residents and visitors who spend time downtown, the program offers a second chance at a frustrating moment. A ticket for an expired meter or a overtime stay can instead become a contribution to a child's holiday.
Not every ticket qualifies, however. The city specifies that only parking tickets issued within Orillia between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1 are eligible, and tickets for accessible parking violations must still be paid as usual.
More information about parking in Orillia is available at orillia.ca/parking or by calling 705-325-1311.
The campaign is one of several seasonal initiatives the city runs each winter, and it has become a fixture of the lead-up to the holidays in Orillia, combining enforcement relief with charitable giving.
Anyone planning to participate should keep their ticket on hand, as it is required when dropping off a toy or making a donation at City Centre.
