South Windsor's TicketNetwork Collects Holiday Gifts for Needy Children

About 150 new toys will be in the hands of needy children this holiday season thanks to the employees of TicketNetwork.

TicketNetwork collected toys for two local charities as part of its annual holiday party, which took place Wednesday..

“In this time of economic hardship, we really enjoy contributing to these organizations that service our local community,” said Jay Mullarkey, vice president at TicketNetwork. “Through the generosity of our employees, we are making a difference in the lives of those in need this holiday season.”

The contributions from the drive will be donated to the CT Children’s Medical Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford. Each group will be distributing the toys to children and families in need within their organizations.

Doreen Tarascio, vice president of donor relations for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, expressed her gratitude for the sizable contribution.

"Connecticut Children's is grateful for the generosity TicketNetwork and their employees have shown for our children and families,” Tarascio said. “These toys will provide a welcome comfort for those children who are sick and in the hospital over the holidays.”

Gilda Roncari, vice president of development at the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford, was equally grateful.

“This is amazing,” Roncari said. “We were thrilled to get a call from TicketNetwork. … These [toys] will go a long way.”

TicketNetwork employees, for their part, were pleased to take part in the toy drive.

“We are overwhelmed by the response,” Janet Vamos, human resources corporate recruiter for TicketNetwork, said. “TicketNetwork employees look out for each other and for the community.”