J‑Cuts Barber Shop on Howe Avenue in Shelton will host the fifth annual ‘Monkey Love Valentine Drive.’
The drive collects stuffed monkeys to give to children in area hospitals, or children who are abused, neglected or otherwise in need.
The drive has been hosted for the past four years by Luther’s Garage of Shelton, which closed last year.
Jennifer Czajkowski, owner of J‑Cuts Barber Shop, has agreed to hold the drive this year.
In addition to needy children, the monkeys are sent to CT National Guard soldiers deployed over the Valentine holiday.
During its time hosting the drive, Luther’s Garage collected and distributed over 3,600 stuffed monkeys.
Area organizations who have benefited from previous Monkey Love Drives include T.E.A.M., ACT/Spooner House, Shelton Safe Home, Danbury Safe Home, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, Griffin Hospital, Covenant to Care for Children, Valley YMCA, Shelton School Readiness program and Casey Family Services.
The monkey collection will run through February 9th.
Stuffed monkeys can be dropped off at J‑Cuts Barber Shop, 505 Howe Avenue, downtown Shelton. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday 8 am to 3 pm.
Additional collection locations in Shelton include Minuteman Press, 524 Howe Avenue and Professional Tire, 20 Todd Road (where the previous owner of Luther’s Garage, John Landry, is currently employed.) Beardsley Zoo, located at 1875 Noble Avenue in Bridgeport, will also be collecting stuffed monkeys.
