Dear Friends,
Each year I begin this letter hoping to express the love, joy and happiness that you brought to so many of our friends in need this Christmas Season. Yes, the challenge of shopping, organizing, wrapping and delivering thousands of gifts is a large one. However the biggest challenge is now at hand and that is for me to somehow thank you for all you did.
So my friend I obviously begin with a sincere and heartfelt thank you. I realize that you never wanted or expected a thank you when you gave so generously to Kevin’s Kids. However as I always say, that thank you comes from each and every one of the children that you helped.
I also thought that along with the thank you I could share real stories of the Drive that you made possible. I begin with the many parents who openly cried when they picked up their gifts, knowing that without you, there would be no Christmas. Perhaps it was the sounds of laughter of children as they opened that special toy that Santa left. Perhaps it was the High School girl who before your gift could only dream of what it was like to have her very own new clothing. And now she can’t wait for the first day of school to show off the new outfit. Perhaps it was the new bicycle that allows a High School boy to get back and forth to his new job and help mom and dad a little. Perhaps it was the elementary children who now don’t mind waiting for the school bus on cold winter mornings because of the new coat, hat, gloves and scarf that you provided. Perhaps it was the middle school boy who suddenly thinks he can run faster and jump higher in gym class because the sneakers you bought actually fit and don’t have holes.
Obviously there are virtually hundreds of other happy ending stories that you helped make possible. There simply isn’t enough room in this letter to include them all. However please know that together we were able to give all of our children a Christmas. More importantly in very difficult economic times, we helped friends and neighbors keep their homes and feel good about themselves.
So hopefully now you understand the impact of the gift you provided. Before I close I again say thank you from all of our kids. I also wish you a Happy Holiday Season. Hopefully our New Year is filled with health so that together we can continue to help our friends.
Sincerely,
Kevin Burger
Director of Student and Administrative Services
