In The Wake Of Sandy, Kevin's Kids Needs Your Help More than Ever

From Manchester's website:

As we all try to recover from Super Storm Sandy, the Manchester School District was happy to open its doors after a week-long emergency closing.

Kevin Burger, founder of the Kevin’s Kids Christmas Drive, felt the impact of the storm the first day back at school. From the moment our schools reopened, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing with countless parents requesting help this Christmas Season.

Founded some 30 years ago, the annual Kevin’s Kids Drive has one simple goal. That is to make sure Santa Claus visits the home of every child in Manchester Township.Each year the drive provides new clothing, food and of course toys to some 400 children and their families. Now, since the storm, Burger has described the need as greater than ever before.

“Our families are in more dire need since the storm. Our list of identified families will easily exceed last year’s totals. The calls I receive each day are for such basic needs. Those needs are things we take for granted and are more than just a Christmas wish list."

So as concerned Burger is with his increased numbers, he is confident of the giving spirit he has experienced for years now.  “I am reaching out to all our friends for any help that you can provide. Whatever you can contribute will not only provide a Christmas but will improve the lives of so many well into the New Year.”

So, yes, the challenge of providing every child with a warm winter coat and their very own new pair of shoes is great. But so are Kevin's friends throughout Manchester Township.

From Kevin: I know that many of you have contributed generously in the past; however, this year I need your help more than ever before. Please know that every dollar we receive will go to helping well over 400 hundred children and their families.

The memories of such a drive are many and very touching.  None more touching then the mom who first asked me to thank all the people who made Christmas possible for her children last year. As that same mother fought back the tears,  she explained how wonderful it was to not have to say maybe next year when her children asked about Santa Claus and Christmas.

So my friends, I ask for your help again this year.  Simply make your checks out to the Manchester Township Middle School with a notation of Kevin’s Kids in the memo section.  Your contribution can be mailed to the Middle school at:

Manchester Township Middle School
2759 Ridgeway Rd.

Manchester, NJ 08759

Or they can be dropped off at any district school.  Donations for this year are needed by Dec. 14.

So as you attempt to forget the memory of Super Storm Sandy, hopefully we can all brighten the lives of friends, neighbors and even strangers.  On behalf of all of these children and their families, I say “Thank You!”