Manchester Schools' Annual Kevin's Kids Drive Underway

MANCHESTER, NJ — Thirty-four years ago, a first-grade teacher in Manchester 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, and in the process, unknowingly started a Christmas tradition.

This year, the Kevin's Kids Drive continues, with a list of families that school officials anticipate will include some 400 children and their families this year.

The goal of the annual Kevin's Kids Drive is to provide not only toys but also much needed necessities such as clothing and food, school district officials said.

"Yes this is a Christmas Drive, but hopefully the necessities provided will help parents in these difficult times throughout the year," said Alex George, director of student and administrative services, and the drive's chairperson. "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 lists, he said, and often staff learn 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 a hand-me-down.

"This Holiday Drive enables Santa to visit the home of each of these disadvantaged children, bringing not just gifts but joy," George said. "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."

The drive welcomes donations from anyone — individuals, businesses, community groups — and each donation goes directly to buy food, new toys and clothing for every child identified on the list, he said.

To donate, make checks payable to Manchester Township Middle School with "Kevin's Kids" written in the memo section and mail to Kevin's Kids, Manchester Twp Middle School, 2875 Ridgeway Rd., Manchester, NJ 08759. Donations of new toys and clothing are also accepted at any Manchester school.

For more information go to the Kevin's Kids webpage or email ageorge@manchestertwp.org.

Volunteers wrap gifts in the Ridgeway Elementary School gym for distribution to families. Manchester Township School District photo