It’s that time of year when many of us turn our attention to planning for the Christmas Holidays. For most of us those holidays are an exciting and happy time. Unfortunately, though, for so many needy children the thought of Christmas as we know it is merely a dream. Christmas Day has instead become another day for parents to hope that they can place food on the table or that perhaps their children’s hand-me-down clothing will last just a little longer.
In order to help families like this, the annual Kevin’s Kids Christmas Drive was started some 25 years ago in the Manchester Twp. School District when a young first grade boy sadly told his teacher that Santa Claus never comes to his house. This annual drive hopes to make sure Santa visits all the children of Manchester by providing food, clothing, and those special toys to some 300 local children.
Kevin Burger, program founder, admits that the prospect of shopping, wrapping and delivering gifts to some 300 children and their families can be a little overwhelming. “Each year at this time I get very nervous hoping that our donations will match our lists of people in need. I talk to many parents and their struggles are so sad that we hope we can help them all this Christmas. People in the school district, the community and throughout Ocean County have always been so generous in the past, though, that I’m confident that they will help up us meet our goal again this year.”
“I think one story I heard from a parent sums up our work. A mom shared with me that her child never wanted to go to school the first day back from Christmas vacation, feeling embarrassed that she didn’t have a new outfit like everyone else. That was until last year, when she proudly showed up that first day wearing everything new that the Drive provided. In fact, the mom shared that her daughter was up and dressed by 5:00 a.m., waiting for the school bus. Obviously, after hearing a story like that it really inspires you to want to make some other child’s day special this year.”
“So again, I appeal to our friends to help us help ‘our’ kids,” said Burger. “Everyone has been so generous and helpful in the past and I know that they will be again this year. So on behalf of all of our children, may I send a sincere thank you in advance for your generosity.”
How to Donate
Donations may be dropped off at any district school or mailed to:
Manchester Middle School-Kevins Kids
2759 Ridgeway Rd.
Manchester, NJ 08759
Checks should be made out to “Manchester Middle School” with “Kevin’s Kids” written in the memo section. The deadline for donations is December 7.
For further information, contact Kevin Burger at 732-350-5900.
