Manchester's Kevin's Kids Christmas Gift Drive For 2021

MANCHESTER, NJ — The Manchester Township School District is starting its annual Kevin's Kids Drive to provide Christmas gifts to needy families in the township.

The annual campaign, which is marking its 39th year, started after a first-grader told his teacher, "Santa Claus never comes to my house."

Manchester Schools staff started a drive to help the boy and his family and a handful of other needy children that year, 1983. This year, the list of families is anticipated to include 300 children and their families.

The goal of the annual Kevin's Kids Drive is to provide not only toys but also much-needed necessities such as clothing and food.

"Yes this is a Christmas drive, but hopefully the necessities provided will help parents in these difficult times throughout the year," said Alex George, the district's director of Student and Administrative Services who also serves as chairperson for the drive.

"Through the generosity of the Manchester School District, the Manchester Police, many local businesses, senior villages and the entire Manchester community, the Kevin's Kids Christmas Drive hopes to grant the specific wish list of each child," George said.

Teachers contact parents of the identified children and develop the wish list of each child.

"During this process, staff discover that for so many of these children it is the very first new pair of sneakers or that first brand new outfit for school or a bicycle that will be their own, instead of one that someone else discarded," he 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 delight," George said. "It offers these children the chance to believe that good things can happen to them."

They welcome any and all contributions to the drive. Each donation goes directly to buy food, new toys and clothing for every child identified on the list.

How to Donate

Those wishing to help can send checks payable to Manchester Township Middle School with "Kevin's Kids" written in the memo section to: Kevin's Kids, Manchester Twp Middle School, 2759 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759.

Donations of new toys and clothing also are accepted at any Manchester school or at various businesses around town, listed on the Kevin's Kids webpage.

The deadline for monetary donations is Friday, Dec. 10. Toy dropoff deadline is Dec. 9.

Donations of new toys and clothing are accepted at any Manchester school or at the following businesses around town:

• Crossroads Realty-Route 530, Whiting
• Crossroads Realty-Route 70, Manchester
• Heritage Restaurant
• IMPAC
• Jimmy C's Barber Shop
• Ocean County Library, Manchester Branch, Colonial Drive
• Ocean County Library, Whiting Reading Room
• Ocean First Bank - Whiting
• Oliverie Funeral Home
• Quick Chek Manchester
• Silverwoods Community
• Whiting Station Clubhouse

For more information contact Alex George at ageorge@mtschools.org or 732-350-5900 or visit the Manchester Schools' Kevin's Kids Drive webpage.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Manchester Patch on Facebook.