CT Lottery Kicks-off 5th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit CT Children's Medical CenterIn partnership with iHeartRadio, the CT Lottery is pleased to announce its 5th Annual "Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket" Holiday Toy Drive starting November 9th through December 21st. The toy drive helps the CT Lottery spread the Responsible Gambling message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children, while also encouraging toy donations for Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
Since 2008, the CT Lottery has partnered with the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High‐Risk Behaviors at McGill University and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) during the holidays to promote responsible gifting as part of CT Lottery's commitment to responsible gambling.
"Research has shown that young people report their first gambling experience, on average, around 9-11 years of age, and approximately 80% of high-school aged adolescents report having gambled for money during the past year. Without a doubt, early gambling experiences are a risk factor for later problem gambling," said CT Lottery's Interim Vice President, Chelsea Turner. "It's an added bonus for us to also collect much-needed toys for Connecticut Children's Medical Center and hopefully help spread some smiles to kids who are in the hospital during the holidays, and other times throughout the year.”
Connecticut Children's Medical Center is always in need of toys to help provide comfort and healing to kids who are in the hospital during the holidays, and other times throughout the year. On average, 150 children are treated daily in the hospital's emergency department alone, and each child receives a toy. Toys are also given to every child who has a procedure, celebrates a birthday or special event; they are used in multiple playrooms throughout the hospital, and utilized as a distraction from pain before shots, tests and surgeries. In total, the yearly need for donated toys is great — 73,000 — ranging from a simple deck of cards or silly bands, to the more substantial, board games and video games.
TOY DRIVE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:
To view a "Wish List" of suggested items appropriate for children of all ages visit
connecticutchildrens.org/toys. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off from Nov. 9th - Dec. 21st at the following locations:
• CT Lottery Headquarters, 777 Brook St., Rocky Hill (Mon.-Fri., 8:30AM - 4:30PM)
• CT Council on Problem Gambling, 100 Great Meadow Road, Wethersfield
• Kenny's Wine & Spirits, 23 Federal Rd., Danbury
• Decker Advertising, 99 Citizens Dr., Glastonbury
• U-haul Moving & Storage of Manchester, 432 Oakland St., Manchester
• U-haul Moving & Storage of Middletown, 1200 Newfield St., Middletown
• Crossroads Card & Gift, 280 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk
• Alterra Rocky Hill Apartments, 11 Kensington Ln., Rocky Hill
• Scientific Games, 301 Hammer Mill Rd., Rocky Hill
• The Salad Bar, 856 Cromwell Ave., Rocky Hill
• DADA Grocery, 757 Meriden Rd., Waterbury
• C&A Market, 1088 Boston Post Rd., West Haven
• The Wooden Toy, 1275 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield
The CT Lottery reminds the public that purchasers must be 18 or older. If you gamble, use your GameSense. If you or someone you know is affected by a gambling problem, please call the CT Council on Problem Gambling’s Helpline at 1-888-789-7777 or visit
ccpg.org for more information.
About Connecticut Children's Medical Center:
Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children's hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. With a medical staff of nearly 1,100, practicing in more than 30 specialties, Connecticut Children’s is the only free-standing children's hospital in Connecticut that offers comprehensive, world-class health care to children. For information about Connecticut Children’s, visit connecticutchildrens.org or connect with us on Facebook (
facebook.com/connecticutchildrens) and Twitter (
twitter.com/ctchildrens).
