Toys for Tickets

The Staff Association's 2023 Holiday Toy Drive in partnership with SMU Parking and ID Card Services supports the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, a United Way service provider.

The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) coordinates the investigation and prosecution of the most severe cases of child abuse in Dallas County, serving more than 8,000 children and their non-offending family members last year. DCAC houses the Child Abuse Unit of the Dallas Police Department, five units of CPS, and a Dallas County District Attorney. Having these professionals under one roof drives collaboration and communication in the very sensitive cases that DCAC coordinates. For more information about DCAC, please visit dcac.org.

About DCAC's Holiday of Hope

Toy drives, such as ours at SMU, are instrumental in providing a Holiday of Hope to the families that DCAC serves and often contribute to DCAC's life-changing work beyond the holidays.

Toys for Tickets

In previous years, SMU Parking and ID Card Services has graciously offered students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to pay off parking tickets by donating toys of equal or greater value to their parking tickets. Ticket dismissal applies only to unpaid SMU parking tickets issued for unauthorized parking, parking without a permit, over time parking, or improper display of a permit. More information about this and if it will again be offered in 2023 will be posted closer to the holiday season.  

Past Toy Collection Locations

Blanton Building – First Floor Elevators

Bridwell Library - Circulation Desk

Collins Center – South Entrance

Dallas Hall – Dean's Suite

Dawson Service Center – Front Entrance

Dedman Rec – Main Entrance 

Expressway Tower – HR Office Suite

Fondren Library Center – Main Entrance Information Desk

Owen Arts Center – Taubman Atrium

Perkins School of Theology – Prothro Hall

Types of Toys Requested

Please provide new, unused, full-size, non-violent, unwrapped toys, such as Board Games, Infant Toys, Baby Dolls - Caucasian and African American, Leap Frog/V-Tech Items for all ages, Arts/Crafts Kits, Science Experiments Kits, Remote Control Cars, Footballs/Basketballs/Soccer Balls/Volleyballs for boys and girls, NERF Products, Action Figures, LEGO, LOL Dolls, Shopkins, Thomas the Train, Barbies/Barbie Cars/Barbie Houses, Disney Princess Items, Paw Patrol Toys, Jurassic Park, Fuzzy Blankets, Reading Books - all reading levels, Bluetooth Portable Speakers/Headphones, Curling Irons, Flat Irons and Hair Accessories, Bath & Body Works/Dove Gift Sets, Old Spice/Axe Gift Sets, Purses, Wallets, Skateboards with Helmets, Scooters/Ripsticks with Helmets, Jewelry/Watches, Perfume/Cologne, Adult Coloring Books, Journals, Fine Point Markers/Gel Pens.