Kevin's Kids Fundraiser Asks Participants to Move

Manchester Township Schools and Creative Cardio are teaming up for a Zumba fundraiser to help Manchester's children in need. 

Creative Cardio instructor and co-owner, Michael Thomas, will teach an entertaining and dynamic 90 minute Zumba class that requires no previous experience. 

The fundraiser is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Manchester Fire House on Commonwealth Boulevard. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. The price for participants aged 15 to 17 is just a donation. No children under the age of 15 will be admitted.

All proceeds support Kevin’s Kids Annual Christmas Drive, a charity that has been helping Manchester families provide their children with Christmas presents for over 28 years.

Kevin Burger, director of student and administrative services for Manchester Township Schools and program founder, said that the drive for next year is approaching more quickly than one might think. 

“If you are going to go out and shop and buy clothing for over 400 kids - you need a lot of money. Starting now is great," he said. "I believe we are expecting a really good turnout and the staff is really looking forward to participating in it."

Zumba is a dance fitness program that was created by dancer Beto Perez in 2001. “The philosophy of Zumba is if you are not having fun, then you are not getting a good workout," said Melissa Mazanec, co-owner of Creative Cardio. "It is a fun, simplified dance workout that any person at any skill level can do." 

Fundraising for 400 families is not an easy task, but Burger said school staff has been "wonderful" with helping.

“They are the teachers and secretaries and paraprofessionals who work with these kids every day," he said. "They will have a fun night while contributing to next year’s drive already and help us to get a good start for next year."

Despite the economy, the 2010 Christmas Drive was the most successful. “It was our most successful one ever. We helped over 400 kids by providing brand new clothing, toys and food. It was pretty amazing," he said.

However, Burger was worried back in October when the drive kicked off.

“I thought that the members of our identified families who were in definite need would go up - which it did," he said. "Then I was worried with the bad economy that people may not be able to contribute as much. I was definitely wrong about the second part. People came through in all different ways."