Monkeys swing into Shelton for 11th annual Valentine's drive

From left: Ross James, Jennifer Sneider, and John Mudgett of J Cuts, Shelton; Amy LaChomia of TEAM, Inc., Derby and Ansonia; and Joy DeMarchis of BHcare in Ansonia show off some of the donated plush monkeys./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Stuffed monkeys swung in to Shelton for the 11th annual “Monkey Love Valentine Drive,” an annual effort to collect plush simians for children in need.

During the past 11 years, more than 10,477 stuffed monkeys have been collected and distributed to children in need of smiles and a new friend to warm their hearts for Valentine's Day.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts barber shop, 505 Howe Ave., organizes the drive every year. She is always amazed by the outpouring of kindness from the community.

“Every year more and more people join in,” Sneider said. “Now that this collection is well established, monkeys find their way to J-Cuts throughout the year. When people see stuffed monkeys for sale, they think of children in need.”

“This is my seventh year being involved,” Sneider said. “We have so much fun. My customers, co-workers and family all love to get involved! We decorate the barber shop in anticipation of a whole bunch of monkeys moving in for a little while.  It is an amazing feeling to know each and every one of these monkeys will find comfort in the arms of a child in need and children will find comfort in these monkeys.”

Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, also collected again this year. Minuteman Press in Shelton also donated posters.

For a fourth year in a row, the Milford Fire Department dropped off donations along with Bright Horizons child care center at 3 Corporate Drive.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted, and sick children, as well as children who may feel a little left out when a younger sibling is born and children treated for cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals.

Children benefited by the drive this year are serviced by the Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Club, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven, TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; and BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia.

For information on holding a collection of your own next year, beginning Jan. 1, 2018, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.

J-Cuts also holds an Annual Back-To-School Book Bag & School Supply Drive, which begins July 1.

This is a press release from the monkey drive organizer.