Cooper’s Accepting Supply Donations, Rounding Up for Foundation for TJO Animals

AGAWAM — For a limited time, Cooper’s Gifts, Apparel, Home of Agawam is accepting shelter supply donations for the Foundation for TJO Animals.

The Foundation for TJO Animals, located at 237 Memorial Dr., Springfield, raises funds to provide resources and support for critical veterinary care and enrichment for the animals at the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. Donations will be collected at Cooper’s now through Sept. 30.

“We invite everyone to help out the animals at TJO and be entered to win a $100 Cooper’s gift card,” said Kate Gourde, owner of Cooper’s Gifts, Apparel, Home.

Items currently needed to keep the shelter clean and well-stocked include paper towels, bleach, pet food, treats, toys, and litter.

“We hope, while people are out purchasing items for themselves, that they will consider picking up a few extras for the Foundation for TJO Animals,” Gourde added. “We will swap a raffle entry for every item donated to the Foundation for TJO Animals.”

One winner of a $100 Cooper’s gift card will be notified on Oct. 1. Entry tickets can also be purchased at the store for $1 each, or 6 tickets for $5. All ticket sales will also be donated to the Foundation for TJO Animals.

Items may be brought to the shop anytime up until Sept. 30. Cooper’s is located at 161 Main St., Agawam, and is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. (During the Big E, the Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the store is closed on fair Sundays.)

“This drive coincides with Foundation for TJO Animals as our September round-up charity, so it’s the perfect time to spread the word about their mission and really help them out,” Gourde said.

Each month, Gourde chooses a local charity to receive the profits of the store’s round-up program, through which customers are invited to round up their purchase total to the nearest dollar amount; Gourde then matches 50% of the total collected. The program has donated more than $69,000 to local organizations since its inception in 2014.