Rocky’s finds food for furry friends

Rocky’s Ace Hardware, a 34-store chain based in Springfield, Massachusetts, has teamed with radio station Lazer 99 and  many generous customers to help homeless and abandoned pets. The drive runs through Dec. 23.

“The drive has become an annual tradition here at Rocky’s,” said Rocco Falcone, president and CEO. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for concerned individuals to help innocent animals without having to make a separate trip to their area Animal Shelter or Humane Society."

Each of the nine Springfield area Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores have partnered with an area Humane Society or Shelter to collect food this Holiday Season for the much forgotten and unfortunate animals in our own community. For the second year, radio personality, Pat Kelly from the popular radio station Lazer 99.3 is joining forces to ensure this year’s drive is even more successful than last year.

“Having a well-known area celebrity come out and greet fans and encourage more donations, helps us get the message in front of more folks,” said Falcone.

Here is how the program works: Customers make donations of much-needed pet food and/or supplies at their local Rocky’s Ace Hardware store. Specially marked signs and a collection basket will guide customers to the collection area. The stores will then in turn collect all donations and drive them to their locally chosen charity. Donations will be delivered directly to the Shelter or Humane Society on or about Dec. 24.

Last year, the fourth-annual pet food drive resulted in a new record collection of over 13,400 pounds of food plus over $5,500 worth of  toys, pet beds and other needed accessories, along with cleaning supplies being donated to a long list of worthy humane societies and animal shelters.

“This year our goal is top that impressive total, with each subsequent drive we have had the sincere pleasure to increase the amount donated, thereby helping even more neglected animals,” said Geoffrey Webb, director of marketing and advertising.

For more information, please visit rockys.com.