With help from fellow area car enthusiasts, Larry Gerice recently presented his yearly truckload of food and toys to the Animal Haven, a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter in North Haven.

Gerice combines his love of animals and cars by putting together a party every year around Christmas, and attendees bring anything the shelter might need, such as food, toys, and blankets. Gerice said that losing his pet dog a few years ago was the start of something great.

“I really care about the animal shelter,” said Gerice. “We pile the food, the toys, the beds and blankets in the old truck and deliver it when the shelter needs donations the most. It makes me and the guys feel good…like we’re doing something.”

Word of the annual party has grown, as even local businesses asked Gerice to bring donations to the shelter. Shelter Manager Michelle DeRosa said that Animal Haven does not receive municipal funds and relies on donations from supporters like Gerice.

Information courtesy of Geoff Bolek