Friends of Warwick graduate Kevin Kless honor his memory
WARWICK On Jan. 21, throngs of mourners braved the very first snow storm of the season filling Warwicks United Methodist Church to attend a funeral service for Kevin Kless, 23, the son of John Kless of Highland Falls and Kendall Kless of Warwick.
It was a testimony of the outpouring of love and affection that relatives and friends felt for the young man, a 2006 graduate of Warwick Valley High School, who was senselessly beaten to death on the streets of Philadelphia.
Kless, who had recently graduated from Temple University, was living and working in Philadelphia when on Jan. 14, at approximately 2:30 a.m., he, his girlfriend, and another female friend were hailing a taxicab that passed them by. Kless shouted to him angrily that he should turn off his lights.
Four men in another car apparently thought Kless was yelling at them. Three jumped out, and rushed the young man. The three men then jumped back in their car and sped away, leaving Kless lying on the sidewalk.
He never regained consciousness and died later that evening.
The three men were soon arrested by Philadelphia Police and charged with murder.
The gifts of life Since then, Kendall Kless reports, that her sons many friends have been organizing numerous events to raise money for charities in his name.
One of her sons friends from Temple University, for example, sold about 50 tickets to the March 21 Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks basketball game with all proceeds going to charities in Kevin Kless name.
Gamma Iota Sigma, to which Kless belonged, is planning numerous fund raisers to raise $25,000 for a Gift of Life to honor Kless and another student who passed away last year. Both students had donated organs.
Gift of Life is a nonprofit organization that offers programs and information to encourage organ donations. A room will be named in their honor at the Gift of Life House in Philadelphia, where families who are going through the donation process can stay for a nominal charge.
About 100 people, Kevin Kless friends and their friends along with members of his family, will participate in the May 6 Blue Cross Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, an annual ten-mile event where over 30,000 runners pay an entrance fee of $40 to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The same people are also seeking donations on Kless behalf from friends, strangers, their employers and so forth for the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP). The AVPs primary initiative is to provide assistance to victims and their families while also reaching out to the youth of Philadelphia, in an effort to promote non-violent conflict resolution.
The goal is to raise $5,000 in Kless name so that the Anti-Violence Partnership can sponsor a Student Anti Violence Education (SAVE) program in one of Philadelphias public schools.
Local efforts underway as well The Warwick community also has been organizing events in the name of the young man who loved baseball and played for Warwick Valley High School as well as American Legion ball.
The Warwick High School Baseball program is planning a presentation to honor Kless on May 7.
And thanks to contributions from family and friends, Warwick High School seniors who have played varsity baseball, softball or soccer for at least two years, and who have an overall grade average of at least 90, may apply for a $1,500 scholarship. Details are available at the High School Guidance office.
Its still in the planning stage but family and friends will soon announce details for the first annual Kevin Kless Volleyball Tournament.
We are delighted to have so much continued support, his mother said. Kevins friends in particular have been incredible. Their calls, e-mails, texts and efforts on his behalf are inspiring and deeply gratifying.
Roger Gavan