Monkey Love drive marks 19th year of making children smile; donations sought

The 19th Annual Monkey Hugs Valentine Drive to support children in need is virtual!

Would you please consider donating a stuffed monkey or two in support of the drive?

Donations are mailed directly to Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital through their Amazon wish list. Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KSBMQLXZTIKC?ref_=wl_share Be sure to choose the “Child Life Program” ship-to address. If you require a tax receipt of your donation please email: giving@ynhh.org at the time of your order and someone will be happy to help you!** Thank you so very much for your support in keeping this community drive going!

This information is shared from the organizer of the original Valentine's Day Monkey Love Drive who wishes to remain anonymous.

Help make blankets for children at Seymour Congregational Church event

 

17th annual Monkey Hugs Valentine drive under way

The 17th Annual Monkey Hugs Valentine Drive to support children in need has gone virtual!

Would you please consider donating a stuffed monkey or 2 in support of the drive?

Donations are mailed directly to Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital through their Amazon Wish List. Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KSBMQLXZTIKC?ref_=wl_share Be sure to choose the “Child Life Program” ship to address. If you require a tax receipt of your donation please email: giving@ynhh.org at the time of your order and someone will be happy to help you!** Thank you so very much for your support in keeping this community drive going!!

This information is shared from the organizer of the original Valentine's Day Monkey Love Drive who wishes to remain anonymous.

TEAM requesting more donations for Toys 4 Kids

Derby official collecting used Halloween costumes for needy city children

This is a message from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo: 

The Derby Town/City Clerk’s Office will be collecting slightly used Halloween costumes for use next year by city children. 
Every year parents spend a lot of money on costumes that are worn only once. Unfortunately, there are a number of families that can’t afford a new costume. 
This project will help those in need for next year.

Costumes can be brought to the Town/City Clerk’s Office, 1 Elizabeth St., during business hours - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please spread the word to friends and family to promote recycling and helping our neighbors.

Thanks to Derby teacher Jenny Ames for the great tradition that we started last year!

Seymour Police collecting toys at Stop and Shop for TEAM, Inc.

SEYMOUR - On Saturday officers from the Seymour Police Department will be at Stop & Shop on Franklin Street for the Annual Team Toys 4 Kids toy drive. 
Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. officers will collect new, unwrapped toys and money donations to help make a happy holiday for children in need. 

If you are unable to make it to the toy drive and would like to donate, the Seymour Police Department, 11 Franklin St., is a drop-off location for TEAM.


This information is shared from the Seymour Police Department Facebook page.

TEAM in Derby receives $250 for Toys 4 Kids campaign

Sharing from TEAM, Inc.'s Facebook page:

"Thank You Jeff Blanco and John Corraro from Barnum Financial Foundation for Life for presenting TEAM a check for $250 to support Toys 4 Kids."

K of C to give coats to needy children at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

ANSONIA - Valley Council 23 of the Knights of Columbus will give out a limited number of new coats for needy children from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Assumption Church hall. 
The distribution will be held during the Master’s Table annual Christmas Dinner.

The church is at 61 N. Cliff St.

The knights will give away free new winter coats to children in need on a first come, first serve basis. 

Children must be present to receive a coat. Sizes are: girls coats 4-16, boys coats 4-18.

TEAM seeks toy donations at Derby HQ, drop-off sites in Valley

Santa recently visited Seymour resident Tom Baklik at the 13th annual breakfast event at Baklik's home to collect toys for needy children./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The 2017 Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign is under way and TEAM, Inc. seeks to provide more than 1,200 needy Valley children with something special under their Christmas tree this year. 

This campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for the under-served children ages birth to 12 years of age in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

More than 70 TEAM volunteers attended the annual Toys 4 Kids kickoff breakfast recently hosted by the Derby Senior Center. 

Breakfast was prepared and served by Emmett O’Brien Technical High School culinary students under the direction of culinary department head, Chef Perfecto Valle. 

Diane and Tom Baklik, owners of The Yankee Clipper Barber Shop, celebrated the spirit of caring and giving by hosting their 13^th annual Christmas Breakfast which garnered more than 700 toys to kick off the toy drive. 

“Christmas is a difficult time of year for the families we serve due to the expense and expectations of the season," said David Morgan, TEAM President/CEO. 

“The holiday toy program really is an incredible program - it makes the kids’ faces light up to be able to still "have a holiday" and it really relieves a huge burden of stress from parents who have very little financial resources to purchase toys. Many of our children suffer the effects of poverty every day, continuously going without, knowing that luxuries like new toys or clothes are simply not available to them. 

"Our message is that Christmas should be fun and not just about survival. Contributions to TEAM’s Toys 4 Kids Toy Drive help our families provide a festive holiday for their children.”  

Donations of new, unwrapped toys to Toys 4 Kids can be dropped off at TEAM, Inc. headquarters, 30 Elizabeth St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and various drop-off sites throughout the Valley. 

The list of drop off sites can be found on TEAM’s website. 

Financial donations are accepted and should be sent to TEAM, Inc., Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign, 30 Elizabeth St., Derby, 06418. 

The annual Toys 4 Kids program provides thousands of Christmas toys for children from low income families across the Valley - children who otherwise might “go without” during the holidays. 

“Christmas can be a financially and emotionally challenging time for families already concerned about money. With the toys collected along with financial contributions, we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of many less fortunate children, who otherwise might have been overlooked," said Diane Stroman, TEAM’s Executive Vice President. 

Last year due to the generosity of the community, TEAM was able to provide 1,234 children with toys to place under their Christmas trees.  

Applications to receive toys are currently being accepted weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. until Dec. 15 TEAM, Inc.’s headquarters at 30 Elizabeth St.  

Parents/guardians who apply for the program must meet low-income eligibility requirements and provide identification and proof of residence for themselves and a birth certificate or social security card for their children.

For information on donations, volunteering, or the application process, contact Diane Stroman at  dstroman@teaminc.org or 203-736-5420 ext. 234. 

This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a private, 501c(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. 

TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, and Woodbridge. 

Derby town clerk collecting costumes for needy children

Sharing an email from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

Good afternoon, 

The Derby Town/City Clerk’s Office will be collecting slightly used Halloween costumes for use next year by City children.  

Every year parents spend a lot of money on costumes that are worn only once.  Unfortunately, there are a number of families that can’t afford a new costume. This project will help those in need for next year.

Costumes can be brought to the Town/City Clerk’s Office during business hours –Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.

Please spread the word to friends and family to promote recycling and helping our neighbors.

Thanks to a Derby teacher for the great suggestion!

J-Cuts in Shelton launches 11th annual school supply drive

Tina Cadella, Lower Naugatuck Valley-Parent Child Resource Center Child First-Early Childhood Clinician, left, and Karen Martinez, LNV-PCRC, Child First-Care Coordinator prepare supplies for children served by their agency./ Submitted photo 

SHELTON - J Cuts has launched the 11th Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive in the Valley. From now to Aug. 22 book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley. Last year, more than 130 book bags, and an abundance of back to school supplies, were collected. 

The main collection location is J Cuts, 505 Howe Ave.

 Supplies include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders.  Supplies are collected for children from preschool to high school.  Book bags and supplies must be brand new.
“The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart,” Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts said. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need!”

For the second time last year, Bright Horizons Day Care, 3 Corporate Drive, held its own collection and dropped off donations.  Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St.,     Ansonia, joined the drive last year. Minuteman Press, 427B Howe Ave., again donated collection posters. Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own.

 For a third year coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, dental plan for HUSKY Health. They provided oral kits each containing a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, and oral health education. 
According to Romaniuk, “The oral health kits contain tips to keep the mouth healthy as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth for the benefit of a person’s general health. The beginning of the school year traditionally correlates with starting new routines and habits. This seems like the perfect opportunity to spread the oral health message of the importance of daily oral hygiene and scheduling a dental exam.”

HUSKY Health members can contact the CTDHP call center at 855-CT-DENTAL or visit www.ctdhp.com for help connecting to one of the 1,900 dental providers available.
More than 200 oral kits were given to students who received back to school donations, as well as the Milford Department of Children & Families office.

Children receiving donations from this community drive last year are served by TEAM, Inc. and Bradley School in Derby, the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center all of Shelton; along with BHcare in Ansonia. 
“The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is forever grateful for receiving backpacks and dental kits to support our families in need,” Jen DeLeon, Unit Director, said. “The smiles on our members' faces are absolutely priceless as they feel so much more confident getting ready for their first day of school!” 

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

This is a press release from J Cuts.

'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.

Seymour nonprofit to launch 3rd annual diaper drive in February

SEYMOUR - Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc., 39 New Haven Road, Suite 1, will hold its “Third Annual 28 Days of Diapers And One to LEAP ON” Initiative in February.

The annual month-long diaper need initiative is an opportunity for community members from all areas of the state to rally their friends, co-workers, business connections, sports teams, school groups, Scouts, and any other group willing to be part of this effort. 
The agency can provide marketing materials or participants can make their own.

Meghan Tarby, founder and executive director of Connecticut Partnership for Children, said in a release: 
"Our goal for 2016 is to bring in more than 5,000 diapers. At this time, we are in desperate need of sizes 4, 5, and 6. Here are some ideas of how you can get involved: Run a simple box drive in the lobby of your workplace. Invite everyone who comes to a local sports event to bring along diapers and wipes as part of the price of admission.  Go denim for diapers – employees donate diapers, wipes, or gift cards in exchange for dressing down. Throw a party and ask guests to bring diapers! 
"Participate in the Hogs’n’Curds event at Colonial Tavern on Feb. 25 (for more info, call 203-881-1804 or e-mail intern@ctpfc.org). 

"Proceeds from this event go directly to our agency," Tarby said.
"Form your team for The Diaper Dash 5K, Kids Fun Run, and Crib Crawl Team Challenge on June 11 in Seymour. Or you can simply make a donation of diapers, wipes, and/or store gift cards."

Connecticut Partnership for Children is a 501©3 organization. 
The agency is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to supporting low-income children throughout the state.


This is a press release from Meghan Tarby.

'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.