Preschool collects items for La.

MANALAPAN — Ivy League Preschool, Gordons Corner Road, is holding a holiday donation drive to benefit students affected by Hurricane Katrina. The preschool is collecting books, arts and crafts supplies and other items for the East St. John Elementary School in LaPlace, La., about 25 miles outside of New Orleans.

Many of the students at the school were displaced from Jefferson and Orleans parishes inside the ravaged hurricane zone. Other students at the school are living in difficult conditions, with their homes damaged by flooding and wind, and crowded surroundings with relatives from New Orleans now living with their families.

“The children at the school enjoy seeing so many wonderful donations build up here so we can give them to children in need,” said Ivy League Director Vicki Cutler. “It’s wonderful to see what a success this collection drive is.”

To ship the items to New Orleans, Ivy League has asked local businesses to donate cash. Among those who have generously contributed funds are LaRosa Chicken and Grill in Manalapan, Elite Fitness and Sports Center, Romeo’s Pizzeria Yorktowne, Gold-N-Time Jewelers, Mama Lina Pizza, Bellissima Tans, Freehold Academy of Performing Arts and Norkus Foodtown. The UPS Store in Manalapan has shipped some boxes free of charge, and Staples has provided boxes for packing the goods.

The donation drive, spearheaded by Ivy League parents Karin Mueller and Jill Strafaci, is continuing through early December. Anyone interesting in contributing should call Vicki Cutler at (732) 446-0401.