Middle Georgia State University waives parking fines for toys

'Tis the season at Middle Georgia State University, where the magic of Christmas can make traffic fines disappear in exchange for a nice gesture.

When the university offered to allow people with parking tickets to instead donate toys this holiday season, the campus police department's staff didn't expect the program to take off like it has. Over the past few weeks, more than 100 toys have been donated across the school's five campuses as students have had their fines waived to help children in Middle Georgia. The school's Toys for Tickets program benefits Toys for Tots led by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

The idea behind Toys for Tickets came after hearing about another department offering the program in its community, Police Chief Shawn Douglas said.

"We thought if we could get 40 to 50 gifts, then it would be a good year," he said. "We're now over 120, so we've surpassed our goal."

After receiving clearance from Middle Georgia State's administration, the school's precincts became drop-off locations for toys that cost at least $10. The average parking ticket is $25, so students were able to save some money while also helping out a worthy cause, Douglas said.

The school may offer the program in future years.

"We're always trying to do stuff to get students involved with the department," said Trish Russo, the police department's communications coordinator. "This was the best reception we've had. The students have been really happy to do it."

On Friday, sporting equipment, dolls, Star Wars headphones and other gifts will be given to Toys for Tots in Middle Georgia. The gifts will be given to needy families for Christmas.

"It's always nice to see a place like Middle Georgia State University take the effort to help out with Toys For Tots," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Colantonio, coordinator of Toys for Tots in Middle Georgia. "It's an awesome feeling that these entities are doing something good and giving back to the community."

This year, Toys for Tots in Middle Georgia will help about 1,200 families, about three times as many as were helped several years ago. The gifts are given out in the counties where the donations come from.

"The word has spread like wildfire that we're here to help," Colantonio said.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter @stan_telegraph.

To learn more about the Toys for Tots in Middle Georgia visit www.toysfortots.org/, click "Donate" and select the county where you'd like to make the donation. To contact the coordinator, call 273-1400 or email warnerrobinstoysfortots@outlook.com.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 10:27 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia State University waives parking fines for toys ."