PETS ANDA PACKAGING

From left: Megan Keefe and Lisa Marecki, co-founders of BOLAR, are presented with a $1,000 donation by Roger Mort, chief operating officer at Packaging And Crating Technologies and Dena Franks, owner of The Store Bar & Grill. Photo courtesy of PACT.

Most modern corporations have a pet charity or designated nonprofit organization, which becomes the beneficiary of recurring company fundraising activities. Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT), a Watertown-based manufacturing company of durable cardboard moving containers for the military, commercial and industrial sectors, is earmarking some funds for a new, actual pet charity that matches stray animals with forever homes. Specifically, PACT recently donated $1,000 to Beacon of Light Animal Rescue to help launch the New Hartford foster-based organization that services dogs and cats around Connecticut.
It is no secret that our company supports the military and its various foundations throughout the year as our primary charitable giving effort,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT. “But just as we consider first responders and vets to be our heroes, so too, are the animals that help our police officers in K-9 units or provide emotional service to those who have served our country. Simply put, PACT is all about patriots and pets and we’re happy to help any organization that rescues, fosters and places animals in good, quality homes.”
Beacon of Light Animal Rescue (BOLAR) was founded by Barkhamsted residents Lisa Marecki and Megan Keefe in March 2024. The couple has been involved in all aspects of pet rescue, including donating, networking, locating adopters and fosters, and supporting fundraising for several other animal shelters for many years and has witnessed firsthand the urgent need of placing a growing supply of animals in homes.
Keefe also notes that besides connecting compassionate individuals with animals in need, BOLAR will be raising money to assist the local community by organizing food pantries, finding rides for people who can’t drive to the veterinarian, offer free rabies clinics and low-cost spay and neuter programs, as well as educate the public on the importance of spaying, neutering, microchipping and vaccinating one’s pets.
Founded in March 2024, Beacon of Light Animal Rescue is a nonprofit organization with the underlying mission of finding loving homes for cats and dogs in Connecticut and Texas. The charity encourages adoption, fostering, sponsoring, volunteering and donating from both businesses and individuals as it provides resources and education to rescue, spay and neuter pets.