Impark waives unpaid parking tickets with toy donation
4-hour amnesty Thursday to collect Christmas gifts for children
Impark is offering to waive unpaid parking tickets for anyone in Vancouver who donates a toy "of equal value" to the Salvation Army — but only for four hours on Thursday morning.
The toy drive will take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. PT at the Salvation Army Belkin House at 555 Homer Street in Vancouver.
"It's basically one toy for one ticket," says Impark vice president Corey Medgyesi, who says they will accept any new, unwrapped toy.
"When we say of equal value that's more of a wish than a demand...there won't be anybody standing there evaluating the toys saying, 'oh this one's worth enough and this one isn't.'"
Most Impark fines range between $60-80, says Medgyesi.
Parking scofflaws must also bring a copy of their violation notice, statement, or license plate number to get credit for the contribution.
Third toys-for-tickets exchange in Vancouver
This is the tenth year Impark has offered the toys-for-tickets exchange, choosing a Canadian city each year.
It started in Vancouver in 2004, modeled after the city of Boston's Toys for Tickets campaign, and returned to Vancouver in 2012 — each time bringing in about 3000 toys in four hours.
"In 2004 people were actually lined up around the corner before the event even started, at 6:30 in the morning, says Medgyesi, who hopes to see similar crowds Thursday.
The toys will be distributed to families in need that are served by the Salvation Army.
Impark is suggesting puzzles, books, gift cards, sports equipment and Lego, and notes that presents for teens are "particularly appreciated."