Toys displayed across the City Hall customer service area collected for Toys for Tickets campaign. (Stephanie Gramlich)

By Alessia Proietti

surpassing 2022

City of Red Deer receives over 200 toys and counting for their Toys for Tickets campaign

Nov 30, 2023 | 2:15 PM

The City of Red Deer says over 200 parking tickets have been paid in toy donations so far for their holiday campaign.

The annual Toys for Tickets program allows those who receive a city-issued parking ticket during the month of November to donate a toy of equal value or more as payment. Donations are being accepted until December 6 and delivered to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau.

READ: Pay a Red Deer parking ticket with a toy this November

“The display is all spread throughout our customer service area on the main floor of City Hall so it looks really cheerful, it looks abundant. It’s been almost heartwarming as you see everything, all the generosity of everybody. Many people are bringing more than what they owe for their ticket so that generosity by people is very appreciated,” said Stephanie Gramlich, Parking Coordinator for the City.

Gramlich added they’ve even had three customers donate over $200 worth of toys for a $30 parking ticket.

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She says they are still tallying up the official numbers but can see that this year’s donations greatly surpass those in 2022.

The campaign was accepting cash donations only for the Christmas Bureau in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. While they were proud to be able to support the cause, she says it is nice to see the office filled with toys and Red Deerians eager to donate.

“It’s always been really good to see on both sides of the counter. Our staff are taking those toys and being appreciative of it because we would like this campaign to be successful. We want to have toys to give for these kids. It’s definitely been an improvement from last year and to see the mountain of toys,” she said.

Service animal at City Hall photographed with some toy donations. (Stephanie Gramlich)

With the new HotSpot online parking system launched this September, Gramlich says she doesn’t know yet if it will have an impact on the campaign next year but hopes that residents remain as generous as they have always been. She says it may produce new opportunities for expanding the campaign or other charitable programs in the future.

READ: HotSpot parking system launches today in Red Deer

Gramlich says they have received lots of toys for teenage girls and children ages three to nine but are still in need of toys for teenage boys aged 11-17.

A list of toy suggestions can be found on the City’s website.

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