Manchester's Kevin's Kids Still Bringing Holiday Joy

MANCHESTER, NJ — It started, as so many good stories do, with one persons effort to help a child.

The Kevin's Kids annual Christmas gift drive is closing in on 40 years of bringing joy to Manchester children and families in need. It started after one child told his teacher "Santa never comes to my house," but that one child — and one man's effort to help — has blossomed into a community-wide effort to make sure every child and family in need has gifts and food for Christmas.

The story of the young boy who told his teacher he'd never had a visit from Santa Claus lives on with the annual request for help — a tribute to Kevin Burger, who was the driving force behind the Manchester Township School District's Kevin's Kids, which got started in 1983.

When Burger learned about the boy who'd never had a Christmas present, he collected about $1,000 to buy gifts and make sure the boy had a Christmas to remember, according to a 1995 Asbury Park Press article available on Newspapers.com.

The following year Burger expanded the effort, collecting the names of children throughout the Manchester school district who were in need; with the help of other staff members, a holiday tradition was launched.

"It's an opportunity for everyone in the community to get involved and understand the true meaning of the holiday season," Burger said in a 1992 Asbury Park Press interview. "It's a gift we can all share to put smiles on faces of kids."

When Burger retired from the Manchester Township schools in 2013 after a 40-year career that included time as principal at Whiting Elementary School and principal at Manchester Township Middle School and finished as director of student and administrative services, the gift drive was helping more than 400 children and their families.

This year, with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the needs are even greater. It's expanded beyond just toys and clothing to providing food as well.

"Yes, this is a Christmas drive, but hopefully the necessities provided will help parents in these difficult times throughout the year," said Alex George, who now fills Burger's role as the district's director of student and administrative services.

"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," George said. "It offers these children the chance to believe that good things can happen to them."

Contributions of any kind, including new toys and new clothing, are welcomed, and monetary donations go directly to buy food, new toys and clothing for every child identified as in need of help. The deadline for all donations is Dec. 11.

Donations can be dropped off at Manchester Township Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road. Checks should be made payable to "Manchester Township Middle School," with "Kevin's Kids" written in the memo field. Do not send cash.

Questions can be directed to George at ageorge@mtschools.org or by calling 732-350-5900.

This article has been updated to reflect the donation deadline is Dec. 11.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact karen.wall@patch.com.