Montclair Kimberley Academy Gives Back this Holiday Season

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), an advocate for giving back to the community, created a tri-campus program called a Season of Giving in support with the Parent Association of MKA (PAMKA). Deemed a success by all, a Season of Giving was created to help give back to local organizations in Montclair and Essex County including Toni’s Kitchen, Valley Settlement, Bridges Outreach, Covenant House, Raphael’s Life House and the Montclair Animal Shelter. Students, parents and faculty alike were asked to donate a variety of items from board games and men’s outwear, to homemade holiday decor, toiletries, mittens and hats, baby clothes, animal food and much more.

MKA’s Primary & Middle Schools collected toys and mittens, hats, and scarves that were donated to Toni’s Kitchen and Valley Settlement House. This program was supported and made possible by PAMKA. Students at the Primary School left toys under the Giving Tree and decorated it with the mittens, hats, and scarves. The Kindergarten students and their families packed mittens, hats, and scarves into backpacks for the Toni’s Kitchen Backpack Program.

The Upper School also participated in the donation drives for Toni’s Kitchen and Valley Settlement, but led the donation collections for Bridges Outreach (an organization that provides food and necessities to the homeless in Newark and surrounding areas), Covenant House (a home in Montclair for homeless teens), Raphael’s Life House (a home for homeless mothers and infants), and Montclair Animal Shelter. The team at Covenant House was particularly grateful for the winter decorations as they were looking forward to making their house feel more like a home for their homeless youth this holiday season.

Earlier this week, the school’s advisor groups brought their gifts to the Academic Center for a celebration of giving. A group of students sorted through all of the gifts and packed them on the bus that visited each location.

“Throughout this Season of Giving, students had the opportunity to learn more about hunger and homelessness in NJ, the organizations in need, and the people whom they serve,” said Kerry Verrone, Upper School Dean of Student Life. “In addition to the donation program, our student leaders created assembly presentations and activities for our students to help give them a greater understanding of the impact we are creating on our campuses. Throughout the year, MKA and PAMKA work together on various programs that help benefit the underprivileged in Montclair and surrounding towns and that is something we are really proud of. We are beyond thrilled with the support we received from our students, their families and our staff for the Season of Giving and we are excited to start planning the next event.”

About Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA)

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) is a school of thought that turns inquiry into insight. We intentionally foster balance in students’ lives so they can develop their infinite potential in and out of the classroom. Embracing a contagious go-for-it attitude, students confidently try anything on their distinct educational adventures, guided by faculty who love to learn and live to teach. As diverse as it is united, our community is strengthened by a commitment to good character, and together we celebrate each student’s success, individually defined. MKA is located in Montclair, NJ. For more information: https://www.mka.org