Lottery News

Day of Action Planned on “Giving Tuesday,” Nov. 29, at Connecticut Lottery Headquarters

Rocky Hill, CT/ November 22, 2022 – The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) will host its 9th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive from November 28 – December 30, 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. This year’s partners include Connecticut Children’s, iHeartRadio, and FOX61/CW20. 

In addition, the Connecticut Lottery will hold a day of action on “Giving Tuesday,” Nov. 29, inviting members of the public to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Lottery’s HQ. The first 100 individuals who bring in a toy will receive a Connecticut Lottery t-shirt for their donation. To view a wish list of Connecticut Children’s “Top Needed Toys,” visit ctlottery.org/giveatoy.

Throughout the campaign, the public may drop off new toy donations at nearly 50 designated sites throughout the state, including at the Hartford Yard Goats, many U-Haul locations and all Geissler’s Supermarkets. For the full list of drop-off locations, visit ctlottery.org/giveatoy.

“Research shows that early gambling experiences are a risk factor for later problem gambling, and our goal with each year is to use the holidays to highlight that while lottery tickets make great gifts for adults, they are not suitable for those under 18,” said Greg Smith, President & CEO, CLC. “We thank all of our partners for helping us to spread this message and assisting us with the toy drive that will bring some comfort to Connecticut Children’s patients during the holidays and throughout the year.”

In 2021, the CLC donated a best-ever 15,000 toys to Connecticut Children’s. The hospital uses toys to engage, distract and motivate patients, so having the right items is critically important. 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. This year, Connecticut Children’s also appreciates monetary donations, which may be made at give.connecticutchildrens.org/ctlottery.

“The Connecticut Lottery Toy Drive helps make spirits bright at Connecticut Children’s,” said David Kinahan, President of  Connecticut Children’s Foundation. “We are grateful for the way they inspire generosity from the community, which benefits our patients all year long.”

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/chat for more information.

Toy Drop-Off Locations:

Visit CTLOTTERY.ORG/GIVEATOY to view a wish list of Connecticut Children’s “Top Needed Toys.” New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off from November 28 - December 30 at the locations listed below:

=         Connecticut Lottery Headquarters, 777 Brook St, Rocky Hill

=         Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, 75 Charter Oak Ave, Bldg. 1, Hartford

=         Garg Consulting Services, 2096A Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill

=         Geissler’s Supermarkets

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

=         Hartford Electric Supply Co. (HESCO), 30 Inwood Rd, Rocky Hill

=         Hartford Yard Goats, Corner of Main St. & Pleasant St. (YG Club Entrance), Hartford

=         The Salad Bar, 856 Cromwell Ave, Rocky Hill

=         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   Winner’s, 121 Brainard Rd, Hartford

o   Winner’s, 103 Tolland Tpke, Manchester

o   Winner’s, 89 Roses Mill Rd, Milford

o   Winner’s, 160 East Main St, New Britain

o   Winner’s, 24 Burnell Blvd, Norwalk

o   Winner’s, 155 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury

=         U-Haul

o   3029 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport

o   526 Pine St, Bridgeport

o   29 Route 66 East, Columbia

o   75 Division St, Danbury

o   1685 Dixwell Ave, Hamden

o   755 Capitol Ave, Hartford

o   3197 Main St, Hartford

o   40A Brainard Rd, Hartford

o   432 Oakland St, Manchester

o   53-71 Spencer St, Manchester

o   1200 Newfield St, Middletown

o   284 E. Main St, Meriden

o   311 W. Main St, Meriden

o   799 New Haven Rd, Naugatuck

o   1175 State St, New Haven

o   83 Water St, New Haven

o   116 Whalley Ave, New Haven

o   1 Selleck St, Norwalk

o   190 Boston Post Rd, Orange

o   10B New Britain Ave, Plainville

o   25 Jefferson St, Stamford

o   560 Bank St, Waterbury

o   169 Meriden Rd, Waterbury

o   164 South St, West Hartford

=         Zen's Toyland

o   1275 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield

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 2022, players won more than $910 million* in prize money and Retailers earned more than $81 million* in commissions. At the same time, the CLC provided $406 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 $11 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 or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat. For information about the CT Lottery, stop by any CT Lottery retailer, visit CTLOTTERY.ORG, join us on Facebook (facebook.com/ctlottery), Instagram (Instagram.com/ctlottery), Twitter (twitter.com/ctlottery), or call (860) 713-2700.  

*Unaudited numbers

About Connecticut Children's:
Connecticut Children's the only health system in Connecticut dedicated to children, providing more than 30 pediatric specialties along with community-based programs. We’re known for exceptional care that kids and parents love, conveniently delivered at locations close to home and by Video Visit. Our experts lead breakthrough research and innovative partnerships, and have won awards for everything from nursing excellence to patient-friendly technology. U.S. News & World Report named us a best children’s hospital in the nation.

Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.

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 FOX61 and CW20
FOX61 is one of the nation's most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports, and local event programming. FOX 61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX 61 now airs more than 61 live hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station.

CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies, and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Men’s Ice Hockey, Football and Baseball.  

FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com or www.tegna.com.

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