Valley Independent Sentinel

A Little Valentine Love In The Valley

by Debi McNamara | Contributed | Feb 14, 2011 11:38 am

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Posted to: Derby, Shelton, News by You

J-Cuts Barber Shop, located at 505 Howe Ave. in downtown Shelton, hosted the Monkey Love Exchange on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

J-Cuts served as the collection headquarters for the 5th Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive this year.

Representatives from area non-profit organizations picked up stuffed monkey donations for children they service. Businesses and individuals who collected monkeys dropped off final donations.

A total of 592 stuffed monkeys were collected.

These monkeys will warm the hearts of 592 children who are affiliated with the following organizations: Birmingham Group Health Services in Ansonia, the Area Congregations Together (A.C.T.) Spooner House homeless shelter in Shelton, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton, the Department of Family and Children’s Aid/Shelton and Danbury Safe Homes, along with foster children serviced by Casey Family Services of Bridgeport, young patients at Griffin Hospital in Derby and children of Connecticut Army National Guard soldiers currently deployed.

Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport was a drop off location this year along with Professional Tire, Minuteman Press and J-Cuts Barber Shop, all of Shelton.

The Keith Urban “Monkeyville” Fan Club members and Facebook fans mailed 374 stuffed monkeys from 26 states around the U.S., Canada and Germany to Eileen Henri of Derby.

Keith Urban is an active advocate for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The fan club members joined the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive a few years ago in honor of Keith Urban’s mission.

Harry Burlakoff, owner of Minuteman Press, located at 524 Howe Avenue, donated the signage.

This annual drive was founded by the former owners of Luther’s Garage in downtown Shelton. Due to the poor economy, Luther’s Garage shut its business down last year.

They asked Jennifer Czajkowski, owner of J-Cuts Barber Shop located at 505 Howe Avenue, to help them continue some of their community work. She was more than happy to take over.

Over the past four years, Luther’s Garage collected many stuffed monkeys to give to abused, neglected and impoverished children, local hospitals, foster children and children of Connecticut Army National Guard soldiers deployed over the Valentine holiday.

Luther’s Garage collected and distributed over 3,600 stuffed monkeys. Thanks to another successful collection this year, the hearts of 4,192 area children in need have been warmed for Valentine’s Day over a five year period.

J-Cuts will also be taking over the Annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive for children in need.

From July 1 to Aug. 24, new items such as book bags, rulers, notebooks, erasers, pens, glue sticks, scissors, pencil holders, sharpeners, markers, calculators, colored pencils, crayons and any other items needed for school can be dropped off at J-Cuts.

In the past, book bags and supplies have been donated to the Shelton Safe Home, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Shelton School Readiness Program, T.E.A.M. in Derby and Covenant to Care for Children.

Any area business or organization who wishes to be a drop off location for this upcoming drive should call Jennifer at J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.

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