Kevin Burger’s 40-year career in the Manchester Township School District was celebrated at a retirement party in his honor on September 26, 2013 at La Bove Grande in Lakehurst.
Colleagues, family and friends gathered to honor the man who has become an institution in the district, touching the lives of several generations of students, staff, and parents since he came to Manchester as a teacher in 1973. Perhaps best known as the founder of the district’s annual Kevin’s Kids Christmas Drive, Burger officially retired from the position of Director of Student & Administrative Services on September 1.
After 10 years as a teacher, Burger was appointed as Supervisor of Instruction at the Middle School in 1983, and was named Middle School Vice Principal in 1988. He then moved on to Whiting School as Principal from 1989-1992. In 1992, he returned to the Middle School as Principal, and was appointed as the district’s Director of Student & Administrative Services in 1999.
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Burger is the ‘Kevin’ in Kevin’s Kids, an annual Christmas drive that has provided toys, clothing and more to thousands of Manchester children and their families for the past 30 years . The drive was started when a student told a teacher that Santa never comes to his house, and Burger and a group of staff volunteers set out to make sure Santa visits every child in Manchester. The effort has grown over the years, with dozens of volunteers serving over 400 children and providing over $35,000 in gifts last year. Burger said that he was happy to announce that the drive will continue with Mrs. Nikki Mazur, Vice Principal at MTES & Ridgeway School, as the new coordinator.
Many colleagues and friends spoke at the dinner, including BOE members, Superintendent David Trethaway, Director of Special Services (and Burger’s good friend) Ollie Lokerson, and Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski. Chief Klimakowski, who was a student of Mr. Burger, presented him with a citizen’s appreciation award from the Police Department and a proclamation from the Mayor and Town Council recognizing Burger for his contributions to the Manchester community.
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BOE President, Donald Webster, Jr., remarked, “Kevin’s legacy will be the tremendous impact he has had on the lives of thousands of Manchester students, parents and the staff of our school district. His Kevin’s Kids program will always be remembered in my mind for the compassionate and profound impact it has had on the lives of so many of our less fortunate students and their parents in their time of need. For this and the many contributions you have made to our community and our schools, we thank you Kevin.”
Looking around the room and reflecting on the many people he has taught and worked with over the years, Burger said, “I am so proud of every one of you.” He said he would miss everyone but is now enjoying his time with his wife, Peg (a retired Manchester teacher), and is settling in to his new job helping out with his grandchildren.
Burger was also honored at the August 28 BOE meeting, where board members thanked him for his 40 years of dedicated service. Superintendent Trethaway remarked, “Kevin has become my right arm. He does so much for this district and he will truly be missed.”
