The Connecticut Lottery Corporation Kicks-off 8th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive Benefitting Connecticut Children’sRocky Hill, CT/ November 18, 2021 – Today, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) kicks-off its 8th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive to collect new toys to benefit Connecticut Children’s, while also spreading the Responsible Gambling message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children. For this initiative, the Connecticut Lottery is again partnering with iHeartRadio and Connecticut Children’s.
The public may drop off new toy donations at designated sites throughout the state from today, November 18, through Tuesday, December 21 – including at 14 different U-Haul locations, six Geissler’s Supermarkets, and all 10 Sportech retail locations. In addition, for the first time ever, Stop & Shop has made the incredible commitment to participate in all 89 of its Connecticut stores, with donation bins available beginning December 1.
“Promoting responsible gambling is a constant priority for the Connecticut Lottery, and it’s important to us that we drive home the message that lottery tickets are entertainment for adults-only, particularly at this time of year,” said Greg Smith, President & CEO, CLC. “It’s extra special for us to be able to do that while also helping Connecticut Children’s in their goal of providing comfort and enjoyment to patients who are in the hospital during the holidays, and other times throughout the year.”
“When CLC approached us with this idea, we jumped at the chance to help drive donations for our partner Connecticut Children's to deliver some joy to kids who are hospitalized during this time of year - while also underscoring an important message around appropriate gifting,” said Rudy DiPietro, Vice President of Merchandising Planning and Execution at Stop & Shop. “We encourage our customers to stop by their local Stop & Shop throughout the month of December to support a good cause this holiday season.”
Connecticut Children’s uses toys and games as a distraction from pain before shots, tests and surgeries. Every child who has a procedure, or celebrates a birthday or special event also receives a toy, and the hospital uses toys and games in multiple playrooms throughout its facilities. In total, the yearly need for donated toys is great—upwards of 80,000—ranging from a simple deck of cards or matchbox car, to the more substantial, tablets and video games. To view a wish list of Connecticut Children’s “Top Needed Toys” visit connecticutchildrens.org/toys.
Since 2008, the CLC 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 the message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children.
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/get-help for
more information.
Toy Drop-Off Locations:
Visit connecticutchildrens.org/toys to view a wish list of Connecticut Children’s “Top Needed Toys.” New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off from Nov. 18 - Dec. 21 at the locations listed below and all Stop & Shop stores starting Dec. 1.
- Connecticut Lottery Headquarters, 777 Brook St, Rocky Hill
- Stop & Shop – (Starting Dec. 1)
o All 89 locations across Connecticut
- Geissler’s Supermarket
o 40 Tunxis Ave, Bloomfield
o 100 Bridge St, East Windsor
o 9J Bank St, Granby
o 95 South Rd, Somers
o 965 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor
o 318 Broad St, Windsor
- Sportech
o Bobby V’s, 268 Atlantic St, Stamford
o Bobby V’s, 11 Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks
o Sports Haven, 600 Long Wharf Dr, New Haven
o Winners, 121 Brainard Rd, Hartford
o Winners, 103 Tolland Tpke, Manchester
o Winners, 89 Roses Mill Rd, Milford
o Winners, 160 East Main St, New Britain
o Winners, 24 Burnell Blvd, Norwalk
o Winners, 141 Water St, Torrington
o Winners, 155 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury
- U-Haul
o 29 Route 66 East, Columbia
o 40A Brainard Rd, Hartford
o 755 Capitol Ave, Hartford
o 3197 Main St, Hartford
o 53-71 Spencer St, Manchester
o 432 Oakland St, Manchester
o 284 E. Main St, Meriden
o 311 W. Main St, Meriden
o 1200 Newfield St, Middletown
o 799 New Haven Rd, Naugatuck
o 10B New Britain Ave, Plainville
o 169 Meriden Rd, Waterbury
o 560 Bank St, Waterbury
o 164 South St, West Hartford
- Garg Consulting, 2096A Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill
- Hartford Electric Supply Co. (HESCO), 30 Inwood Rd, Rocky Hill
- Scientific Games, 301 Hammer Mill Rd, Rocky Hill
- The Salad Bar, 856 Cromwell Ave, Rocky Hill
- Zen's Toyland (formerly The Wooden Toy), 1275 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield
- Zen's Toyland, 803 Williams St, Longmeadow, MA
About the Connecticut Lottery Corporation:
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) is a quasi-public state agency with the mission to generate revenue for Connecticut consistent with the highest standards of good public policy and social responsibility. In fiscal year 2021, players won more than $925 million in prize money and Retailers earned more than $83 million in commissions. At the same time, the CLC provided $418 million to support the valuable services and programs funded by the state’s General Fund including public health, libraries, public safety, education and more. Since the Lottery began in 1972, its contributions to the General Fund have exceeded $10.6 billion.
The CLC
reminds the public that Lottery purchasers must be 18 or older, and players
must be at least 21 to place sports wagers. If you gamble, please play
responsibly and use your Game Sense.
About Connecticut Children's:
Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children and ranked one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and a Magnet®-designated hospital. Connecticut Children’s provides more than 30 pediatric specialties by Video Visit and at lots of locations close to home, along with community-based programs to uniquely care for the physical, social and emotional needs of children. Our team of pediatric experts and care coordinators bring access to breakthrough research, advanced treatments for both rare and common diseases, and innovative health and safety programs to every child. Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children through convenient locations, care alliances and partnerships.
About iHeartMedia Hartford and New Haven:
iHeartMedia Hartford owns and operates Top 40 WKSS-FM, Adult Hits WHCN-FM, News-Talk WPOP-AM-W265EB, Sports WUCS-FM and Country WWYZ-FM iHeartMedia New Haven owns and operates Top 40 WKCI-FM, Urban WKCI-HD2-W265DB, News-Talk WELI-AM and WELI-FM, and Sports WAVZ-AM and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month – and with its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. The company’s leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 850 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; through its iHeartRadio digital service available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; through its influencers; social; branded iconic live music events; other digital products and newsletters; and podcasts as the #1 commercial podcast publisher. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio product, using data from its massive consumer base. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
About Stop & Shop:
A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop offers a wide assortment with a focus on fresh, healthy options at a great value. Stop & Shop's GO Rewards loyalty program delivers personalized offers and allows customers to earn points that can be redeemed for gas or groceries every time they shop. Stop & Shop customers can choose how and where they want to shop - whether in-store or online for delivery or same day pickup. The company is committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger, supporting our troops, and investing in pediatric cancer research to help find a cure. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs 58,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com.
