Xmas Drive Revs Back Up

Around this time each year, Manchester Township school teachers, administrators, town officials, senior community residents, local business owners and first responders become Santa's little helpers. The occasion is the Kevin's Kid's Christmas Drive where an entire township pitches in to make the season bright for some of district's students and their cash-strapped families.

Organizer Alex George, Director of Student Administrative Services for the Manchester Township School District, said they're hoping to help over 150 families by providing gifts, coats, hats and gloves for over 300 children this year. However, the drive also helps to meet other needs as well.

"At the High School, it's taken the form of a computer for a student that might be headed off to college and on to great things and providing those kids with what they need for that next chapter in their life," explained George.

He said they're primarily looking for donations of toys to meet a variety of age ranges. He said gift certificates are also great for teens. The donation deadline is December 12th.

They're also looking for volunteers to help wrap gifts on December 14th.

In a written statement, organizers said the 'Kevin's Kids' tradition was inspired 32 years ago in the Manchester Township School District, when a teacher asked her class, "What is Santa Claus going to bring you on Christmas Eve?" One of the students responded, "Santa Claus never comes to my house." That year, a few teachers began a drive to help the boy and his family, as well as a handful of other families in the district.

Get donation details through our link to the Kevin's Kids information page or the Kevin's Kids Facebook Page. George said you can also contact him at the school district at 732-350-5900. Donations can also be sent to Kevin's Kids Christmas Driver, P.O. Box 4100, 121 Route 539, Whiting, NJ 08759-4100.