Kids for Kids of New Jersey’s annual Walk for Chalk event will be held at West Windsor Community Park on Sunday, May 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event will support community service projects to help needy children in New Jersey, the largest project being the purchase of new backpacks and school supplies to be delivered for the 2007-’08 school year. In the past 11 years, Kids-for-Kids has raised close to $110,”000 primarily through the walks.
The 501(c)3 non-profit, established in 1995 by Carly Rothman of Princeton, is now run by groups of area teens. The five established chapters include two chapters in West Windsor (a chapter for High School students and a chapter for middle school students).
The South chapter is led by sophomore Alexandra Olgin and junior Christina Lee. Members include freshman Greg Kuhlman; sophomores Emma Allen, Stephanie Gati, Laura Kuhlman, Brittany Mathes, Amanda Richards, Caralyn Reiff, and Greg Spina; and juniors Mike Iacouzze, Haena Lee, Jesse Lee, Patrick Loh, Jessica Loren, Erin McGovern, Mahitha Reddy, Matthew Stone, Tiffany Yam, and Dan Ziment.
The high school group is also holding a bake sale on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Acme Market. “The sale is the day before Mother’s Day so it is a little different than a usual bake sale,” says parent advisor Elise Olgin of West Windsor. “We did the same thing last year and not only did the kids and their mothers bake, but friends of their families offered to bake also.” They raised close to $400 last year.
The Grover Chapter members of eighth grade students includes Danielle Olgin, leader, Taylor Birnbaum, Amanda Grant, Melissa Lichtman, Tika Mankar, Shelby Miller, Sarah Peck, Carly Reiman, Gina Rodriguez, Adrienne Solomon, Rose Soskind, Megan Spencer, Marni Zahorksy, Vera Shulgina, Nichelle Mendex, Victoria Matthews, and Alexa Pogrob.
Millstone River School also supports Kids-for-Kids efforts through the Student Human Relations Committee, supervised by counselor Lisa Valeriani. Sabrina Olgin, a fifth grade student, is a representative on that committee. They recently raised over $300 from a bake sale to support the walk and purchase of backpacks and school supplies.
New at the walk this year will be performances by Grover Middle School’s Choir, and High school South’s a cappella group, Noteworthy, and the High School South female a cappella group, Tickle Me Pink.
In addition to the crafts, games, moonwalk, and pony rides, there will be field games including a three-legged race, spoon race, sack race, water balloon toss, and prizes for the winners of those games.
Food includes grilled burgers and dogs, Capuano’s pizza, and Emack and Bolio’s ice cream. Sponsors also include Playmobil, Balkitono, Sam’s Club, Zebra Pen, and Build-a-Bear.
The Grover and High School South chapters raised $422 at a car wash on Saturday, May 5, at the Valero Gas Station at the corner of Southfield and 571. High School South members also volunteered at the Crisis Ministry Food Pantry in Trenton and tutor children through the Trenton After School program on a weekly basis.
For the May 20 event, walkers solicit sponsors prior to the one-mile walk. Prizes, including an Apple Video iPod, will be awarded to the persons who collect the greatest dollar amount in pledges. Donations may be made to Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey, Box 0163, Princeton Junction 08550. For information visit www.kidsnj.moonfruit.com.
— Lynn Miller
Walk for Chalk, Kids-for-Kids, West Windsor Community Park, Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor, 609-897-0564. www.kidsnj.moonfruit.com. Admission is free. Games, food, and raffle tickets are available. No rain date. Saturday, May 20, 2 p.m.
