Dear Friends:

Some 39 years ago one of our first grade teachers unknowingly started a Christmas tradition in Manchester Township. Realizing the excitement of her students only days before Christmas, the teacher asked her class, “What is Santa Claus going to bring you on Christmas Eve?”

Unfortunately, one child broke the teacher’s heart with his response of “Santa Claus never comes to my house.” Saddened by the boy’s story, the school staff started a drive to help the boy and his family as well as a handful of other needy children. Now many years later, that handful of families has grown to a list that school officials anticipate will include some 300 children and their families. The goal of the annual Kevin’s Kids Drive is to not only provide toys but include much needed necessities such as clothing and food. Yes, this is a Christmas Drive, but hopefully the necessities provided will help parents in these difficult times throughout the year.

Through the generosity of the Manchester School District, the Manchester Police, many local businesses, senior villages, and the entire Manchester community, the Kevin’s Kids Christmas Drive hopes to grant the specific Wish List of each child. Teachers contact parents of the identified children and develop the wish list of each child. During this process, staff discover that for so many of these children it is the very first “new” pair of sneakers or that first brand new outfit for school or a bicycle that will be their own, instead of one that someone else discarded.

This Holiday Drive enables Santa to visit the home of each of these disadvantaged children, bringing not just gifts but joy. The children and families that we help struggle every other day of the year and we want them to have at least one special day full of surprise and delight. It offers these children the chance to believe that good things can happen to them.

So, now as our list of families in need continues to grow, we are reaching out to people and organizations like yours to seek any help you can offer. We ask for any contribution that you can make to our drive. Each donation goes directly to buy food, new toys and clothing for every child identified on our list. We also accept donations of new toys and clothing. Don’t worry about the child’s age, size or sex, we will always find a home for your donation. It is through your help and generosity that we can achieve our goal. That goal is our pledge to make sure that Santa Claus visits every home.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide to “our” kids.

Sincerely,
Alex George
Director of Student and Administrative Services

Contact:
ageorge@mtschools.org
732-350-5900