SMU Park ‘n Pony trades toys for tickets this holiday season

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Parking and ID Card Services, in partnership with the Staff Association, is forgiving parking tickets in exchange for toy donations to the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center.

Through Dec. 21, campus community members who have unpaid parking citations have the opportunity to pay them off by donating toys of equal or greater value than the cost of the tickets.  Last year, more than 300 toys were donated through the ticket forgiveness program, helping to make the holiday season brighter for children in tough situations.

The Toys for Tickets program began collaborating with the Staff Association’s holiday toy drive in 2010. The partnership doubled the amount of toys donated and encouraged widespread campus involvement.

“The best part of the Toys for Tickets program is when someone brings in more toys than needed to pay off their ticket just because they want to give to the children,” says Mary Ann Casazza, assistant director of Parking and ID Card Services (also known as Park ‘N Pony). “It really makes everyone feel the season when that happens.”

To participate in the Toys for Tickets exchange, drivers must bring the parking ticket, toy and receipt to Parking and ID Card Services at 6116 North Central Expressway Tower, Suite 101, during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Types of toys include new, non-violent, unwrapped toys.

Ticket dismissal only applies to unpaid SMU parking tickets issued for unauthorized parking, parking without a permit, overtime parking or improper display of a permit.

“The Park ‘N Pony office sees a tremendous response from students and faculty because the program provides a nicer way for community members to pay off parking tickets, ” says Darrah Rippy, a coordinator for the Toys for Tickets program. “We also have great participation at toy drop-off locations throughout campus.”

Click here for more information on the Holiday Toy Drive and Toys for Tickets program.

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