Kevin's Kids Holiday Gift Drive Underway In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — The annual Kevin's Kids holiday gift donation drive is underway across the Manchester Township School District, marking its 41st year of helping families in need have a memorable holiday.

The gift drive does not collect generic gifts for giving but brings the community together to fundraise and shop confidentially from specific gift wish lists submitted by Manchester families who ask Kevin’s Kids for support during the holiday season.

"Kevin’s Kids efforts go above and beyond just providing gifts to children in need," school district officials said. "By fulfilling a child’s specific gift list, we have helped them achieve."

A student who received their first computer through Kevin’s Kids in the past later went on to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Last year, a student received driving lessons. Children have requested work boots or bicycles to ensure they can get to work and perform their jobs after school hours successfully and completely.

Every year, every child receives a warm coat.

"This is one of Manchester Schools' biggest fundraising efforts and it truly shows what a great community and place Manchester is to live and raise a family," said Alex George, the district's director of student personnel services. "Kevin’s Kids is another reason that I am so proud to be a part of this school district and town. We are truly a family who works together to take care of those in our community."

Kevin's Kids not only brings the district together, it brings the community together, officials said.

Staff, families and community organizations contribute through fundraisers. The district's school bus drivers volunteer to pick up and transport gifts, and the buildings and grounds employees spend hours of their own time putting together toys and bikes. The township's senior communities are a huge part of the donation-supporting efforts and township entities and businesses provide support through donations, drives and even space where the school district can hold gifts ahead of distribution.

Staff members come on their own time with their families on the weekend before the final gift distribution to shop for any outstanding gifts, sort those gifts per family, wrap them and prepare them for the anonymous distribution that occurs at a district school on a weekend afternoon.

If you would like to support Kevin's Kids, gift cards and monetary donations can be dropped off at local businesses (see the list below).

They also are in need of wrapping paper. Wrapping paper donations can be dropped off to George at the Kevin’s Kids "North Pole" at Manchester Township Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road, Manchester.

Please drop any and all donations by Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.

Kevin’s Kids started 41 years ago when a first-grade teacher at Whiting Elementary School told Kevin Burger, the school’s principal at the time, about a student who informed him that Santa did not come to his house that year. Kevin Burger and the teacher learned of the child’s holiday wish list and, together with their colleagues, made Christmas happen for that student. From there Kevin’s Kids was formed and has expanded tremendously. Last year the district helped about 400 children, officials said.

The following Manchester businesses have boxes for Kevin’s Kid’s donations:

• Crossroads Realty – 2002 Route 70
• Crossroads Realty- Rt. 530, Whiting
• Dollar General – Whiting
• Heritage Restaurant
• Jimmy C’s Barber Shop
• Manchester Library & Whiting Library
• Oliverie Funeral Home
• Quick Chek
• Shop Rite
• Silverwoods Adult Community
• Whiting Station – Club House
• Stop & Shop – Whiting
• Leisure Ridge Adult Community
• Lester Glenn Subaru of Toms River
• Expressions Hair Salon
• Chick-fil-A - Route 70, Brick