WILBRAHAM — With the warm weather finally here, pets and their people are itching to get outside. On May 4, they can do just that and do some good for other animals, at the third annual Jack Rome Memorial Walk/Run to benefit the Foundation for TJO Animals.
The Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center is in Springfield, but also serves Holyoke and Chicopee. In the past year, TJO has fielded 5,583 animal control calls, found homes for 1,874 animals and the TJO veterinary team performed 1,292 medical procedures.
The Foundation for TJO Animals provides Springfield with grants, which are used by TJO. The grants pay for veterinary clinicians to care for animals with health issues and other medical expenses, such as surgeries.
A few years ago, the foundation had wanted to create a new fundraiser and was considering a charity walk/run, said Janna Brown, executive director of Foundation for TJO Animals. “We had also wanted to partner with Gary Rome because he does so much for the community. He does so much for charity,” said Brown. “How can you not partner with Gary Rome?”
Rome’s dog, Jack, had recently died, and Brown said the foundation realized, “Why don’t we do a 5K to honor Jack?” It has become the foundation’s biggest and most successful event of the year. It is so big that, after the first year at Springfield’s Forest Park, where the number of people participating is capped, the foundation moved the event to Fountain Park, 883 Tinkham Rd. in Wilbraham.
Brown shared the story of one dog who came into TJO earlier this year, Reese, had been severely abused. The foundation raised $28,000 to cover a $15,000 surgery and the rehabilitation he would need. Reese did not survive the surgery, however, and the remaining $13,000 was put into a fund bearing his name that will benefit animals who have been the victims of abuse, cruelty or severe neglect.
While the members of the foundation and the team at TJO were devastated at Reese’s loss, Brown also said, “That kind of stuff reinvigorates us. This is why we do it, to prevent that type of thing.”
A portion of the money raised through the Jack Rome Memorial Walk/Run will go to Reese’s Fund. The fundraiser will also benefit Wounds of Unknown Origin, a program that quarantines cats for four months if they come in with a wound, in case they have contracted a disease through a bite or scratch. Finally, it will help with preventative care, such as flea, tick and heartworm medicine.
The foundation’s fundraising goal for the 2025 walk/run is $60,000 through sponsorships, registration fees, donations, T-shirt sales and a raffle. Last year, the event raised $50,000.
There are three distances for participants to choose from: 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers or one mile. There is a $35 registration fee for the 5K and a $40 fee for the 10K. Children under 12 years can participate for free.
Registration for the run/walk is open at tjofoundation.org through May 3, or in person the day of the event. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Fountain Park. The race kicks off at 10 a.m., taking participants through a local neighborhood and finishing back at the park. People are encouraged to bring dogs who are comfortable with noise, people and other dogs.
New this year, the foundation has partnered with Fast Track Timing to time the participants and ensure the route distances are correct. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest male and female participants in each of eight age ranges. There is also a prize for the fastest dog and their human companion to complete the 5K and another for the top fundraiser.
A family fun day to celebrate completing the course begins at 1 p.m. It will include music, refreshments, food trucks and children’s activities. There will also be animal-related businesses and organizations on site. The MSPCA will be offering free microchipping until 1 p.m.
