Connex donation boosts animal shelter fund

HAMDEN — The town’s Animal Shelter Gift Fund recently received a donation of more than $900 from Connex Credit Union through the credit union’s philanthropic program, Coins-forChange.

The Coins-for-Change program contributes more than $13,000 annually to local charitable organizations as part of the ConnexCares initiative, according to a release. Through the program, Connex charges a fee to use its coin-cashing machines; each quarter, 100 percent of that money is donated to local groups, the release said.

Hamden’s Animal Shelter Gift Fund was created so shelter donations could only be used for a new Hamden or Regional Animal Shelter. The town currently rents space from the North Haven animal shelter.

“Connex Credit Union is proud to support those making a difference in the community and having a positive impact in towns where we live and work,” Carl Casper, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Connex Credit Union, said in the release. “On behalf of Connex, thank you for supporting our Coins-for-Change program to further help organizations such as these.”

Local nonprofit or charitable organizations interested in participating in the “Coins-for-Change” program can contact Roquita Johnson at Connex Credit Union at 1-800-CR-UNION or rjohnson@connexcu.org.

As of this time, the town of Hamden is actively working on plans for its own shelter; currently it rents space from the North Haven animal shelter.

Contributed Photo From left, Chief of Staff David Garretson, Animal Control Officer Chris Smith, Hamden Mayor Curt Leng, and Carl Casper, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Connex Credit Union