The City of Hamilton has introduced a unique initiative where parking tickets can be exchanged for toys to bring joy to local children and families during the holiday season. Known as the Toys for Tickets program, residents can settle a city-issued parking fine by donating a new, unwrapped toy of equal or higher value.
Mayor Andrea Horwath expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that the program offers a simple yet innovative way for residents to give back to the community and brighten the holidays for local families. The program, which will run for five days, requires donated toys to be in their original packaging with a receipt to verify their value.
Donations can be made at 80 Main St. W. (at Summers Lane) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. between December 1 and 5. It’s important to note that only city-issued parking tickets are eligible for the program, and other types of fines like speeding or red-light violations do not qualify.
City manager Marnie Cluckie highlighted the success of the program, which was piloted in 2024. Cluckie mentioned that the Toys for Tickets initiative exemplifies how city programs can facilitate meaningful acts of giving. In its pilot phase, the program translated 65 parking tickets into $4,841 worth of toy donations, bringing holiday cheer to young residents of Hamilton.
All toy donations received through the program will be directed to the United Way Halton and Hamilton, providing support to children and families throughout the city.