Newsletter: Coat drive, Shelton Exchange Club mini-golf fundraiser, more

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter features a coat drive for displaced residents of Puerto Rico, 12th annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti and Ralph

12th annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive kicks off in Valley

Pictured from left in 2017: Ross James, Jennifer Sneider, and John Mudgett of J Cuts, Shelton; Amy LaChomia of TEAM, Inc., Derby and Ansonia; and Joy DeMarchis./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Once again, J-Cuts barber shop is opening its doors welcoming stuffed monkeys for children in need of smiles and a new friend to warm their hearts on Valentine’s Day.

During the past 11 years, more than 10,832 plush monkeys have been collected and distributed to children.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, children involved in domestic police situations, 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.

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

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts from now through Feb. 10.

“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 eighth 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, is collecting again this year.  

Also collecting is the newly opened Country Cottage gift shop, 710 Derby Ave., which is conveniently located off of route 8 north, exit 20, in Seymour.    

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

Children benefited by the drive last year are served 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 The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia.

For more information, call 203-924-4107.

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

This is taken from a press release from drive organizers.

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.

Newsletter features lead hazard control program, monkey love in Valley

Dear readers,

Our latest newsletter is out. Please click here to read all about it.

Have a great weekend!

~ Patti and Ralph

No monkeying around! Time to donate to 11th annual drive in Shelton

10th annual Monkey Drive organizers pose with area nonprofit representatives who received monkeys for needy children in this February, 2016 file photo. 


SHELTON - Valentine's Day is approaching, which means it's time for the 11th annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive.

Organizers say new plush monkeys are once again being collected to warm the hearts❤️ of area children in need now through Feb. 10. 
Please bring (or mail) monkey donations to Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts barber shop, 505 Howe Ave., where they are being collected.


*Information shared from Facebook. 

'Monkey Love' abounds in Valley

Stuffed animal donations to cheer children in need

Pictured from left: Ross James and Jennifer Sneider of J Cuts, Shelton; Nicole Polifka of Bright Horizons, Shelton; David Morgan and Amy LaChomia of TEAM, Inc., Derby and Ansonia./Contributed photo

SHELTON - Stuffed monkeys swung in to downtown Shelton for the 10th annual “Monkey Love Valentine Drive,” an annual effort to collect stuffed animals for children in need.

During the past 10 years, over 10,327 stuffed monkeys have been collected and distributed to children in need of smiles and a new friend to warm their hearts.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts barber shop, 505 Howe Ave., organizes the drive every year. She said 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.”

J-Cuts became the main drop off location after taking the drive over from the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed.

“This is my sixth 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.”

Additional collection locations this year included Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2, and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Progress Drive, 2nd Floor, both of Shelton; Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia.

Minuteman Press also donated posters.

Mary Finnegan

Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi held their Sixth Annual Monkey Love Sunday Jan. 31 at Off the Hook Bar & Grill on Ferry Boulevard in Stratford.

As a member of the online meet-up group, Party Express, Marconi decided to invite everyone to Off the Hook each year for a monkey drop-off party. 

Between donations from this group and many loyal customers of Off the Hook, more than 100 stuffed monkeys were collected again. 
Off the Hook holds a Monkey Love Sunday celebration each year on the Sunday before Super Bowl. Next year, they hope to have other area pubs in Stratford join in.

For the third year in a row, the Milford Fire Department dropped off donations along with Bright Horizons child care center of 3 Corporate Drive, Shelton, and United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia.

The United Methodist Women, led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 12 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. “We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys knowing they would warm the hearts of children in need on Valentine’s Day,” Tchakirides said.

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.

The ninth Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive collected and distributed more than 1,880 stuffed monkeys to area organizations to give to children in need.

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

Coordinators also shared 26 of the stuffed monkeys as “26 Random Acts of Kindness.”

For information on holding a collection of your own next year, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, 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 J-Cuts.

'Monkey love' found in Ansonia

Annual drive to collect plush animals for children continues

These monkeys were spied at Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 W. Main St., Ansonia, one of the drop-off locations for stuffed monkey donations.


It's time to quit monkeying around and support a good cause.
The 10th annual "Monkey Love Drive" is here. The goal is to put smiles on the faces of needy children on Valentine's Day.

I'm re-posting details here:

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave., Shelton, is once again collecting new stuffed monkeys for children.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts through Feb. 8. 

Additional drop-off locations include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2, and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Progress Drive, second floor, both of Shelton, and Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia. 
Each year, Minuteman Press donates posters to advertise the drive. 

This event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, frightened children involved in police calls, as well as those treated for emergencies, cancer, or other illnesses at local hospitals. 

This year, Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their sixth annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon-3 p.m. Jan. 31.
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Blvd., Stratford. 
Last year, they collected more than 180 stuffed monkeys. They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. Stuffed monkey donations may be dropped off this day or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun.

They hope to have other pubs in the area join in this event by promoting a Monkey Love Sunday of their own to benefit children in need. 

Finnegan said, “Any extra monkey we can collect is an extra smile and one more warm heart within a child who needs it the most.” 

More than 1,800 distributed

The ninth annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive collected and distributed more than 1,800 stuffed monkeys to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Ansonia and Milford, along with the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club in Shelton; Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven; TEAM Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; Griffin Hospital of Derby; the Department of Children and Families in Milford; International Institute of Connecticut, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport.

Coordinators also shared 26 of the stuffed monkeys as “26 Random Acts of Kindness.”

Sneider uses her business as the main collection and drop off location. 

“This is my sixth year being involved,” Sneider said. "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 the children will find comfort in these monkeys. Each year, we hope to have an even more successful drive to create miles of smiles on the faces of children to show them they are loved.” 

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by members of the Milford Fire Department. This is their fourth year participating. 

Once again last year, Bright Horizons child care center at 3 Corporate Drive, Shelton, and United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia, held their own collections.

In addition the United Methodist Women led by Barbara Tchakirides crocheted 25 adorable stuffed monkeys last year. 

“We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys for a good cause – children,” Tchakirides said. “I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2016.] When I learned the drive will continue, I became very excited because we can get a head start on crocheting!” 

Area individuals, corporations and groups are also encouraged to become involved by holding collections of their own. 

In celebration of the 10th year, coordinators are hoping to mark this milestone by launching a “monkey love challenge” and have it go viral. They would like to have people participate by buying some monkeys, making a cute video, posting it on social media, and calling out others to do the same, then mailing or bringing their donations to J-Cuts.

Last year, members of country singer Keith Urban's Ville and Facebook fans from all over the world mailed stuffed monkeys to Connecticut. They collected a total of 1,356 stuffed monkeys, 300 of which were donated directly to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
In the past decade 10,327 stuffed monkeys have been donated from all over the world, organizers say.

Ansonia resident Phyllis Hyde, an owner of Barb's Corner Consignment in Ansonia, holds a plush monkey that will soon warm the heart of a child in need.

So quit monkeying around and donate!
For more information about the drive, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.

Shelton-based Monkey Love Drive kicks off 10th year

Contributed photo

Picture from the ninth annual Monkey Love Drive:  Back row from left: Ross James of J-Cuts; Jennifer DeLeon, LNV Boys & Girls Club; Suzanne Reilly, TEAM, Inc. and Nicole Polifka, Bright Horizons. 

Front row, left to right: Jennifer Sneider, owner, J-Cuts and Bonita Robinson, Milford Department of Children & Families.

SHELTON - Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave. has launched the 10th year of collecting stuffed monkeys for children.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts through Feb. 8. 

Additional drop off locations will include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Progress Drive, second floor, both of Shelton. 
Each year, Minuteman Press of Shelton donates posters. 

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, frightened children involved in police calls, as well as children treated for emergencies, cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals. 

This year, Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their sixth annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon-3 p.m. Jan. 31.
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Blvd., Stratford. 
Last year, they collected more than 180 stuffed monkeys. They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. Stuffed monkey donations can be dropped off this day or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun.

They hope to have other pubs in the area join in this event by promoting a Monkey Love Sunday of their own to benefit area children in need. 

Finnegan said, “Any extra monkey we can collect is an extra smile and one more warm heart within a child who needs it the most.” 

The ninth annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive, held in 2015, collected and distributed more than 1,800 stuffed monkeys to the Boys & Girls Club in Ansonia and Milford, along with the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club in Shelton; Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven; TEAM Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; Griffin Hospital of Derby; the Department of Children & Families in Milford; International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport.

Coordinators also shared 26 of the stuffed monkeys as “26 Random Acts of Kindness.”

Sneider uses her business as the main collection and drop off location. She wanted to help out by taking this drive over from the former owners of Luther’s Garage automotive repair business, which was located around the corner from her business.

“This is my sixth year being involved,” Sneider said. 
“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 the children will find comfort in these monkeys. Each year, we hope to have an even more successful drive to create miles of smiles on the faces of children to show them they are loved.” 

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by members of the Milford Fire Department. This is their fourth year participating. 

Once again last year, Bright Horizons child care center at 3 Corporate Drive and United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia, joined in by holding collections of their own.

In addition last year, the United Methodist Women led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 25 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. 

“We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys for a good cause – children,” Tchakirides said in 2015. “I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2016.] When I learned the drive will continue, I became very excited because we can get a head start on crocheting!” 

Area individuals, corporations and groups are also encouraged to become involved by holding collections of their own. 

In celebration of the 10th year, coordinators are hoping to mark this milestone by launching a “monkey love challenge” and have it go viral. They would like to have people participate by buying some monkeys, making a cute video, posting it on social media and calling out others to do the same, then mailing or bringing their donations to J-Cuts.

For health and safety reasons, stuffed monkeys must be new with tags.

J Cuts also holds an annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive beginning July 1 each year. 

For more information, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.


This is a press release from Monkey Love organizers.

'Monkey Love' drive in Valley brings smiles to needy kids

Fun Valentine's Day tradition continues

Pictured from left, back row: Ross James of J-Cuts; Jennifer DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley; Suzanne Reilly, TEAM, Inc. and Nicole Polifka, Bright Horizons. 

Front row: Jennifer Sneider, owner, J-Cuts; Bonita Robinson, Milford Department of Children and Families./Contributed photo

SHELTON - More than 1,880 stuffed monkeys swung in to Shelton for the 9th Annual Monkey Love Valentine drive, organizers announced this week.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts barber shop, 505 Howe Ave., said she is 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 monkeys for sale, they think of children in need."

Once again, members of Keith Urban's Ville members and Facebook fans from all over the world mailed stuffed monkeys to Connecticut. 
They collected a total of 1,356 stuffed monkeys, 300 of which were donated directly to the CT Children’s Medical Center.

J-Cuts became the main drop off location after taking the drive over from the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed.
“This is my fifth 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.” 

Additional collection locations included Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, 2nd floor.
Minuteman Press also donated posters.

5th annual Monkey Love Sunday
Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi held their 5th Annual Monkey Love Sunday Jan. 18 at Off the Hook Bar & Grill in Stratford.

As a member of the online meetup group, Party Express, Marconi decided to invite everyone to Off the Hook each year for a monkey drop-off party. Between donations from this group and many loyal customers of Off the Hook, more than 100 stuffed monkeys were collected again. Off the Hook holds a Monkey Love Sunday celebration each year on the Sunday before Super Bowl. Next year, they hope to have other area pubs in Stratford join in the fun.

For the second year in a row, members of the Milford Fire Department dropped off donations along with Bright Horizons child care center, 3 Corporate Drive, and United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia.
The United Methodist Women, led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 18 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. 
“We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys knowing they would warm the hearts of children in need on Valentine’s Day,” Tchakirides said.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, and frightened children involved in police calls, 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 served by the Milford and Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Clubs; Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital in New Haven; TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; Griffin Hospital in Derby; the Department of Children and Families in Milford; International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport and the Shelton Lions Club.

Coordinators also shared 26 of the stuffed monkeys as “26 Random Acts of Kindness.”

According to Laura Jones, Manager, Refugee Services at the International Institute of CT, “We serve recently-arrived refugee families, as well as asylees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking," she said. 
"We serve a number of children who come to us through these programs, either on their own or with their parents, who would really appreciate receiving one of these special monkeys.”

In celebration of the 10th Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive next year, coordinators are hoping to mark this milestone by launching a “monkey love challenge” and have it go viral. 

They would like to have people participate by buying some monkeys, making a cute video, posting it on social media calling out others to do the same and then mailing their donations to J-Cuts.
For information on holding a collection of your own next year, beginning Jan. 1, 2016, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.

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

This post is taken from a press release from Monkey Love Drive organizers.  

Reminder: Monkey Love drive continues in Valley

Plush animals collected for needy children 

J-Cuts owner Jennifer Sneider is collecting monkeys at her shop in Shelton.

SHELTON - Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave. is once again collecting stuffed monkeys for Valentine's Day.
Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts from now through Feb. 6.

Organizers of the drive are putting a twist on the annual collection this year. 
They are going to challenge celebrities to a “monkey love challenge” through Twitter and Facebook. 
The hope is that celebrities will join in by encouraging their fans to mail new stuffed monkeys to J-Cuts. 
J-Cuts will be keeping track so at the end of the collection they can announce the winning celebrity who had the most fans participate. Fans should write the celebrity's name on the bottom left corner of the package. 

Additional drop-off locations include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, 2nd Floor.
Each year, Minuteman Press of Shelton donates posters.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, frightened children involved in police calls, as well as children treated for emergencies, cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals.

The Shelton Lion’s Club participates each year by collecting and dropping stuffed monkeys off at J-Cuts.

Monkey Love Sunday relocated
Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their 4th Annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 18).
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford. Last year, they collected more than 100 stuffed monkeys. 

They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. 
Plush monkeys can be dropped off Jan. 18 or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun. 
Finnegan and Marconi said they hope to have other pubs join in this annual event by promoting a Monkey Love Sunday of their own to benefit area children in need.
Finnegan said, “Any extra monkey we can collect is an extra smile and one more warm heart within a child who needs it the most.” 

The eighth Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive in 2014 collected and distributed more than 2,000 stuffed monkeys.
 They were given to: the Milford and Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Clubs; Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital; TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; the Shelton Police Department;  ACT-Spooner House in Shelton; Griffin Hospital in Derby; the Department of Children & Families in Milford; and the Lower Naugatuck Valley-Parent Child Resource Center.

As a result of greatly surpassing the previous year’s final numbers, coordinators were able to reach out to additional agencies who service children. 
With the assistance of Jack Walsh, President of Valley United Way, some monkey love was spread even further.  
The VNA of South Central Connecticut, the International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport and Julia Day Nursery & Kindergarten of Ansonia received some new friends to present to children in need. 
Coordinators also dropped off 26 stuffed monkeys in Newtown to be given to children affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

'An amazing feeling'
Sneider uses her business as the main collection and drop-off location. She wanted to help out by taking over the drive from the former owners of Luther’s Garage automotive repair business, previously located around the corner from her shop.

“This is my fifth year doing it,” Sneider said. “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 the children will find comfort in these monkeys.
"Each year, we hope to have an even more successful drive to create miles of smiles on the faces of precious children in great need.”

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by the Milford Fire Department. 
This is their third year being involved. Last year, firefighterscollected more than 50 stuffed monkeys.

Newcomers to the annual collection last year included Bright Horizons child care center, 3 Corporate Drive, and United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St.

Last year, the United Methodist Women, led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 25 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. “We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys for a good cause – children,” Tchakirides said last year.
“I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2015.] When I learned the drive will continue, I became very excited because we can get a head start on crocheting!” 

Area individuals, corporations, and groups are also encouraged to become involved by holding collections of their own.
For health and safety reasons, stuffed monkeys must be new with tags.

J-Cuts also holds an annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive beginning July 1 each year.

For more information, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.


This post is taken from a press release from Monkey Love organizers.