University Using Parking Tickets To Help Out Local Kids

"There are not often a lot of positives to a parking ticket," Crouch said.

This year those little yellow tickets might do some good.

 "The Toys for Tickets program allows people to bring in equal to or greater than the value of their parking citation," Crouch said. "They can get their parking citation waived, if they'll donate the toy for Toys for Tots."

Managing Director for University parking services at Texas Tech said they receive all kinds of gifts.

"People usually bring dolls and cars and games," Crouch said. "Some people bring in big gifts like bicycles."

Crouch said donating is super easy, all people have to do is bring the citation and toy to the parking main office on 4^th and Flint.

"A good year we get three or four thousand dollars worth of toys donated," Crouch said. "So it's a great program."

Crouch said the program is a good alternative if students don't want to pay.

 "We started the program about six years ago," Crouch said. "It started out of a conversation with the student government leaders about how to do community service in exchange for tickets."

Crouch said students are not the only ones who can donate.

The program is available to all staff and visitors and anyone who wants to lend a helping hand.

"I think just seeing the amount of toys and the amount of giving that people give back to the community," Crouch said.  "I think the most impressive thing I've seen is people who don't have tickets who are just donating the toys."