This is music to my ears!

Over the last few years, I certainly have not been the best at keeping quarters in my pocket to feed the meters around Boston and in return have had to shell out a fair share of my beer money to pay for my negligence. However, with the Christmas season around the corner Boston is implementing one of its great initiatives to help underprivileged children.

For 18 years now Boston has allowed anyone who receives a non-public safety parking ticket, issued between the 5th of December and 9th of December to pay with a wrapped toy equal to or greater than the value of the fine amount. The toys will then be given to local needy children for the holidays.

The “Toys for Tickets” office will begin accepting the toy donations from the 8th of December through December 16th between 9 am and 4pm at City Hall. Violators will need to bring the parking ticket and a receipt for the toy.

Sadly in the 18-year history of the program, only one percent of the violators have taken advantage of the opportunity to give back. As for me, well, you can count on me walking right past the meters to do my holiday shopping. There is no better feeling in the world than helping children on Christmas, even better than getting out of a parking ticket!

So come on Boston, let's up the success rate and forget the meters between December 5th and 9th and give back. Sure wish they had this program when I lived in London. No child would have gone without a gift for years. Happy Holidays everyone.

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