0580f2351774c1098d10008cc087a91a.jpg

MANVILLE: No birthday bright paper or bows, just a food gift for others

Her birthday wish is food for others

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
   Most children look forward to their birthday for presents, but one Manville girl asked for something different and special. On her birthday list, Megan Simko’s first item was something to help others.
   She delivered her gift Friday afternoon to the Foodbank Network of Somerset County headquarters in Bound Brook.
   Megan turned 11 years old on April 30 and, according to her mother, Amy, she asked for food for people who didn’t have any.
   ”My family and I have reached out to co-workers and family and have quite a little collection of food,” said Mrs. Simko.
   The Simkos wheeled two large shopping carts full of food into the Somerset County Food Bank and gave them to its director, Marie Scannell.
   ”I feel good as I am always getting stuff and not helping other people,” said Megan. “It came to my mind to help people as to people that don’t food and other stuff.”
   Ms. Scannell thanked Megan.
   ”I think that when our young folks give up their time that should be for them like now when you get birthday presents and gifts and everybody calls to wish you happy birthday and
   When youngsters tell well wishers that they would rather help others than have gifts, “that is an incredible act of kindness and very, very unselfish and you should be proud,” Ms. Scannell told Megan. “You are our future. We hope that the day comes when you can step up and do this kind of work. Thank you very much, sweetheart.”
   Her mother was very proud of her daughter.
   ”It all had to do with Hunter Hayes and the song ‘Invisible,’” she said. “It has a lot to do with not being bullied and not being ignored and I think that’s where this all came from. Just being a fan of his and seeing that there people who are hungry, it was just her way of being Megan,” said Ms. Simko.