Kevin's Kids Aims to Help 400 at Christmas

A three-decade effort that began with a first-grader's admission that Santa never came to his home at Christmas is back again this year, as staff at the Manchester Township School District aim to help about 400 children and their families have a happy holiday.

The 2013 Kevin's Kids Drive, named for retired administrator and founder Kevin Burger, will keep up the tradition, bringing food, clothing and toys for families in need across the township, with Nikki Mazur, vice principal at Manchester Township Elementary, taking over the reins.

Staff members pull together wish lists for each child identified for the program, Mazur said, getting input from parents to make the holiday special for everyone.

“This Christmas drive enables Santa to visit the home of each of our children, bringing not just gifts but the opportunity to improve their lives,” Mazur 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 as well as the chance for a better New Year. It offers these children the chance to believe that good things can happen to them.”

Kevin's Kids takes monetary donations, as well as donations of new toys and clothing, with everything finding a home, Mazur said, with a deadline of Dec. 13. Those donations can be dropped to any Manchester school office or can be mailed to Kevin's Kids, c/o Manchester Township Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759.

“We are counting on the Manchester community to come through once again for Kevin’s Kids and we ask for any contribution that you can make to our drive,” Mazur said. “It is through your help and generosity that we can achieve our goal.

“That goal is to make sure that Santa Claus visits every home.”