Ole Miss basketball fans will have an opportunity to see Wednesday’s game with an exchange of a gift instead of paying for a ticket.

The University of Mississippi’s Books and Bears program, which collects gifts that will be given to workers in UM’s Department of Facilities Management, will be accepting donated gifts at each garage entrance in exchange for a ticket on Wednesday.

Workers accepting gifts will be stationed at the Pavilion, as well as at the entrance of the garage on Hill Drive. While Books and Bears is a university-wide event, exchanging a gift for a ticket is UM athletic department’s particular way of participating, as a way to get the Ole Miss fan base involved.

“It’s just a way to give back,” Jennifer Saxon, Assistant Athletics Directors for Student-Athlete Enhancement, said.

The Bears and Books program is in its 21^st year, and distributes toys to custodial workers and their children around the university as an extra gift during the holiday season. Specifically, Saxson said it was a way for athletics to thank these workers for cleaning facilities for use.

The university also has partners around the Oxford area, which donate to the program as well.

Donations can be exchanged for tickets at the Ole Miss men’s basketball game on Wednesday against the University of San Diego Toreros. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m.