Kids-for-Kids’ 15th annual Walk-for-Chalk is Sunday, May 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. at West Windsor Community Park. The organization benefiting needy children in New Jersey has raised close to $150,000 — mostly through the walks. The largest project of the year is the purchase of new backpacks and school supplies to be delivered to needy children in New Jersey for the 2010-’11 school year. Kids-for Kids, founded in Princeton, currently has six chapters, four in West Windsor and Plainsboro middle and high schools.
This year Kids-for-Kids has adopted Seva Mandir Learning Camps in Udaipur, India, and is donating a portion of the proceeds raised from the walk to this camp to purchase educational supplies. The organization focuses on the development of the rural and tribal population in Udaipur and southern Rajasthan.
“All children come from very poor backgrounds and many of the children have either never been to school or dropped out at a very early age due to poverty, migration, and family pressures,” says Elise Olgin, the advisor and a West Windsor resident. “This year founding members of Kids-for-Kids visited some of these camps and witnessed the services they provide.”
In addition to the walk, there will be a moonwalk, games, arts and crafts, food and drinks. Music will be provided by DJ Tony Dimaygua. There will also be a raffle for prizes donated from area businesses.
The chapter at High School South includes Danielle Olgin, Amy Greenberger, Nichelle Mendes, Taylor Birnbaum, Megan Spencer, Carly Riemann, Lauren Goldfinger, Isi Olavarria, Vicente Olavarria, Sergio Ingato, Amy Spina, Michael Krakower, Sarah Peck, Harshita Nedhuri, Ashley Burch, Larry Goun, Rose Soskind, Bijan Matthews, Annie Bonazzi, Michael Casarona, and Emma Siversten.
High School North chapter includes Sarah Shapiro, Bryan Berger; Alyssa Avino, Maddie Nicieza, Sanjana Phatak, Amy Laresch, Erin Bonafede, Jason Foster, Ekta Panigrahi, and Nitya Sivakumar.
Grover Middle School chapter includes Sabrina Olgin, Becky Shetrit, Lindsey Fecko, Lindsay Philbin, Stephanie Krackower, Bianca Ingato, Lucia Torres. Members of the Community Middle school group are Molly Rubinstein and Hannah Sternbach.
The young people have hosted parties for children served by Homefront in Trenton and the Laurie Haven House in Edison and conducted food and goods drives. They held a Halloween parties, a Thanksgiving luncheon, and took children to performances of “A Christmas Carol” at McCarter Theater and to “The Nutcracker” at Kelsey Theater.
High School South and North members also volunteered at the Crisis Ministry Food Pantry in Trenton, tutor children through the Trenton After School Program, and hosted bowling party fundraisers at East Brunswick Lanes. The North Chapter, who made dinners for families at Homefront, is hosting Knights v. Food, on Friday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at North. The event will include a dunk tank, pizza and pie eating contests, a barbecue, and music.
Walk for Chalk, Kids-for-Kids, West Windsor Community Park, Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Sunday, May 23, Noon to 4 p.m. Cash or checks payable to Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey, Inc. are accepted at the walk or may be mailed to Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey, Inc., Box 0163, West Windsor 08550-0163. There is no rain date. 609-897-0564. www.kidsnj.moonfruit.com.
