Up Late With The Giants – The Hometown View

I’m working on about 2 ½ hours sleep following an amazing football game last night in which the Giants rallied to stun the Cowboys 37-34 and take control of their own destiny as far as the NFC East is concerned.

The Giants scored two touchdowns in the final 3 plus minutes but the win wasn’t secured until Jason Pierre-Paul blocked a game-tying field goal in the final seconds. Without question the best part about the victory was the anguished look on the face of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in his private box after the kick was blocked. Minutes before they showed Jones high-fiving and back-slapping his sons when it looked like victory was a sure thing. He probably got less sleep then I did last night.

KEVIN'S KIDS

It was a busy weekend for the many volunteers associated with "Kevin’s Kids” and their efforts will bring Christmas to some 460 children in Manchester Township. The nearly three-decade old holiday drive is spearheaded by Manchester School Administrator Kevin Burger and his wife Peggy plus dozens of volunteers young and old, many from the school district and others who know it really is better to give than receive. They went out in force Saturday and shopped at Toys R Us and Target to fill the wish lists of children and then spent Sunday wrapping the gifts which would later be retrieved by thankful families who can now tell their children that Santa Claus did not forget them. Clothes and food are often provided as well as some $45,000 was raised, most of that through schools in the district.

PLAYING FOR CHARITY

The Toms River North ice hockey team begins a fundraising effort tonight for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure when they host Freehold Township at the Winding River Skating Center. Mariner players decided they wanted to do something to help in the fight against breast cancer so they are bringing Pink to the Rink during three December home games and will sport pink laces on their skates and pink tape on their sticks. Donations from those in attendance will be solicited for tonight’s game plus those on December 16th and 19th.