Kelley organizes effort to aid dancer's family

SEATTLE -- While he is busy preparing for final exams and Washington's upcoming bowl game, Husky senior linebacker Anthony Kelley has added another project to his already busy schedule. Kelley is organizing a donation drive to assist the family of one of the South African youth dancers who performed in the Seattle area last summer. The family of Vuyokzai Doli recently lost their home in the Cape Town ghetto town of Guguletu due to a fire.

Doli, was one of the 11 South African school children who visited Seattle last summer and performed in several festivals. Kelley, who studied in South Africa during the winter academic quarters of 2001 and 2002, raised $30,000 to bring the group to Seattle.

"Vuyokazi's family includes two adults and six children whose ages run from five to 17," Kelley says. "They basically lost everything, but thankfully no one was injured in the fire. We want to do what we can to help them. There is a group I have worked with in the past that will be leaving for South Africa this month that can deliver the donated items to the family.

"We had already started a Christmas Wish List for the Ipintombi Dancers, but now this takes on a whole new importance with the loss Vuyokazi's family has suffered."

Kelley, and his wife, Tonya, are coordinating efforts to collect donated items for shipment to South Africa. The Husky athletic department will assist the effort by serving as a donation site for goods. Anyone who brings a donated item to the Graves Building lobby will receive a free ticket to any men's or women's basketball home game during the month of December.

The list of requested items includes:
Undergarments
Socks
Clothing (pants,shirt,jackets/coats)
Shoes
Personal Hygiene Products
Sheets/Blankets
Wash Cloths/Towels
Dishes (plastic)
School Supplies
Books
Childrens Toys ( Dolls,Board Games,Trucks/Cars )