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Jack Rome Memorial 5K and Fun Walk

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Lace Up for the Jack Rome Memorial 5K & Fun Walk!

Join us on Saturday, May 2nd at Fountain Park, 883 Tinkham Road in Wilbraham, MA for the 4th Annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K & Fun Walk that benefits the animals in need at TJO!
Spend the day with us, in honor of Jack Rome, Foundation ambassador of hope & healing, as we raise funds for the TJO animals in need. This annual event honors the animals who have made a difference and changed our lives for the good.
Your participation enables the Foundation to continue our mission to provide critical veterinary care and enrichment for the animals at the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center – giving them the new beginning they deserve.

Event Highlights:
5K Run & Fun Walk
Run or walk in honor of a beloved pet or for animals still in need. All ages and abilities welcome.
Superhero Fun Walk Theme
Because not all superheroes wear capes—some have paws, and some show up for them. Feel free to wear your favorite superhero gear!
Food Trucks! Wandering Waffles, Cookies By Ray, Riffs Joint – Myers Catering & Dave the Beer Guy!
Customize Your Bib Station
Personalize your race bib to honor a pet who changed your life.
Kids’ Superhero Mask Station and character meet and greet!
Let kids design their own superhero mask and join the fun as animal heroes for the day.
Resource Row & Vendors
Explore local vendors, animal resources, and community partners who support pets and people.
Bubble Soccer & Games
High-energy fun and interactive games for kids and adults alike.
Rainbow Bridge Memorial Wall

As part of your event registration, you will have an option to purchase a wooden paw ornament(s) with your pet’s name. On the day of the event, you can find your ornament(s) beautifully displayed on the Rainbow Bridge Memorial wall and take it home with you. You can also purchase ornaments the day of the event while supplies last.

EVENT DETAILS:

Event kick off and race registration begin at 11:00am.
Race starts at 1:00pm.
Early registration Feb 2nd – Feb 28th $30, includes event t-shirt.
Registration March 1st – April 15th $35, includes event t-shirt.
Registration April 16th until day of event – $40, t-shirts included but size not guaranteed.
Children under 12 are free.

Got a team? Sign ’em up!

Consider creating a fundraiser so family, friends and co-workers can help you support the TJO animals. A special prize will be awarded to the individual that raises the most!

Awards for top male and top female in the following age groups:

19 and under
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
There will be 1 prize for the top dog and human pair (5K only).

**Can’t make it to the event but still want to support the TJO animals?** Sign up for a CAT NAP, which serves as a donation AND you get a t-shirt!

Your support enables the Foundation to continue to fund specialized surgeries and diagnostics, now including on-site radiographs, medical equipment, comprehensive testing, emergency clinics as needed, medications & medical supplies, high-quality on-site veterinary care, enrichment supplies that provide comfort and reassurance while in the shelter, and more.

Dogs who are comfortable with the chaos of noise, people, and other dogs are welcome to attend. Pups who attend should be on a leash at all times. No flexi-leads.

REGISTER TODAY!

Interested in being an event sponsor, vendor or volunteer?
Contact the Foundation for TJO Animals at: [email protected] or call 413.306.5161
Thank you to our event sponsors!

First Annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K Established

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Local canine celebrity Jack Rome, official greeter of Gary Rome Auto Group, who peacefully passed away on Oct. 10, 2022, will now be memorialized with an annual 5K run/walk to benefit the Foundation for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) Animals.

Sponsored by Gary Rome Hyundai and Western Mass News, the first annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at Forest Park in Springfield, and will be a family- and dog-friendly event. Click here to register.

All funds raised will be donated directly to the Foundation for TJO Animals and will be used specifically for medical and veterinary care, emergency surgery, and rehabilitation services to help the animals find new, loving homes.

“Jack lived a very full and happy life for 13 years,” said Gary Rome, president of Gary Rome Auto Group. “When I was at work, Jack was at work. He brought a million smiles to customers and employees, and I am so thankful his memory will live on and benefit the animals at TJO.”

Hugh Zeitlin, news director of Western Mass News, said the station’s employees voted to make TJO the station charity for 2023 because of the positive impact it has on the community.

“Jack’s been around for a long time and been going to work with him every day, so we decided that this would be a wonderful idea to raise money for the Foundation for TJO Animals and start an annual memorial 5K walk/run in honor of Jack Rome,” said Stewart Bromberg, executive director for the Foundation for TJO Animals.

Jack Rome was a Vizsla breed, a Hungarian hunting dog. He embodied the common Vizsla traits of affectionate, loyal, and energetic, yet quiet and gentle. He appeared in all Gary Rome Hyundai Kia advertisements and filmed many commercials alongside Gary and 2-year-old ‘sister’ Daisy, also a Vizsla.

The Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center provides comprehensive animal-control services and programs to the Western Mass. community for the protection of animals, public health, safety, and the environment. TJO responsibly places unclaimed and relinquished animals into care and new adoptive homes. Its animal-control officers respond to routine service calls daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Emergency response for ill, injured, or aggressive animals is available 24 hours a day. The TJO Adoption Center, located at 627 Cottage St. in Springfield, provides a second chance for adoptable dogs, cats, and occasionally other animals.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or obtain more information, contact Dara Davignon, executive assistant to Gary Rome, at [email protected] or (413) 420-8049.