Kids-for-Kids has its annual walk to benefit needy children in New Jersey at West Windsor Community Park on Sunday, May 18, from noon to 4 p.m. The 13th annual walk, led by WW-P students from High School South and Grover Middle School, begins at 1 p.m. Donations are invited.##M:[more]##
The event also includes a moonwalk, pony rides, carnival games, arts and crafts, food and drinks. There will be performances by singing groups Noteworthy, High School South’s male a cappella group, High South’s female a cappella group, First Edition, and the Trenton Children’s Chorus. Walkers are asked to solicit sponsors prior to the event. Although the suggested walk is five laps around the track (about 1 mile), walkers may walk as many laps as they are comfortable walking. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place walkers.
Christine Lee and Alexandra Olgin are co-presidents of the High School South chapter; Danielle Olgin is the secretary. Sabrina Olgin leads the Grover School chapter. WW-P area students include Jen Lee, Andrew Birnbaum, Emma Allen, Vera Shulgina, Amanda Grant, Pat Loh, Jesse Lee, Tiffany Yam, Taylor Birnbaum, Victoria Matthews, and Riana Gideon. Supervisors are WW-P faculty members Bethann Kinney and Nancy Tummillo.
The group’s largest project is the purchase of backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged children. Last year the organization distributed 375 new backbacks stuffed with school supplies. In the past 12 years Kids-for-Kids has raised close to $125,”000, primarily through walks, bake sales, gift wrapping sessions, and car washes.
Kids-for-Kids has established relationships with area corporate sponsors that have contributed donations to the drive. Not only did they give the organization monetary contributions, but also provided employee and volunteer assistance, as well as essential items for ongoing events during the year.
Other community service projects include hosting parties at area group homes and shelters for children, as well as conducting drives for toys, art supplies, toiletries, dental supplies, baby supplies, pajamas, sneakers, towels, socks, and underwear. This year the students purchased rocking chairs for a day care center in South Jersey. High School South members, who volunteered at the Crisis Ministry Food Pantry in Trenton, tutor children through the Trenton After School Program on a weekly basis.
Checks payable to Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey may be mailed to Box 163, Princeton Junction 08550-0163.
— Lynn Miller
Walk for Chalk, Kids-for-Kids, West Windsor Community Park, Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor, 609-897-0564. www.kidsnj.moonfruit.com Carnival with games, music, and moonwalk, pony rides, face painting, food, music, and the annual walkathon to benefit needy children. Walker’s information packet online or E-mail k4k_wwp@yahoo.com. No rain date. Sunday, May 18, noon to 4 p.m.
