Last Week To Donate For Kevin's Kids Holiday Gift Drive In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — There is still time to make donations for Kevin's Kids, the annual holiday drive helmed by the Manchester Township School District, and help spread holiday cheer to families in need.

Kevin's Kids does not collect generic gifts, but brings the community together to fundraise and shop confidentially from specific gift wish lists submitted by Manchester families who need support during the holiday season.

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. 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.

Community members can participate in the effort by donating gift cards, or making a monetary donation and dropping it off at a local business (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.

The following Manchester businesses have boxes for Kevin’s Kids 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

This story contains reporting from Patch's Karen Wall.