MORE THAN JUST DANCING

During this Christmas Season it is refreshing to see so many organizations answering the call of helping others. I have observed many local businesses and non-profit organizations asking for donations to make the holidays special for people who otherwise would not have a joyful season.

One organization is the Riley's School of Dance located in Enfield. Riley's, under the leadership of K.T. (Riley) Dasilva, has a long running record of taking their success and sharing it with people in need. Whether quietly serving hungry people at the Soup Kitchen, or raising money for the victims of the recent Tsunami in Sri Lanka, Riley's has met the challenge.

In the past few months this dedicated group of dance students, parents, and staff have once again gone beyond the call of duty by assisting our fellow citizens in the Gulf region after they suffered great loss by hurricane Katrina. As we all sat by the television and watched the terrible video reports of the disaster in New Orleans, the leadership of Riley's started putting a plan together to aid in that areas recovery.

At Fermi High School on November 12th, the Riley Dancers performed for a packed out audience. As people walked in they were asked for a donation to re-open a School closed by Katrina. Attendees were also given a chance to bid on items donated by local businesses to further the cause of helping children in New Orleans get back their school.

The dancer's performed beautifully, the parents assisted in refreshments and the auctions, and the kids in the Gulf region were blessed by a donation of $9000.00 to re-open the St. Anthony School in New Orleans. As important as sending money to help others, was the lesson taught to the Riley Students. They learned that life is not just about what they get, but what they give.

But, as K.T. Dasilva told me, the job is not done. St. Anthony School will need continued support to open and provide their students a great education. So the fund raising continues and you can have a part in making life a little better for the people in New Orleans. Riley's School of Dance has kept the account open and will continue to accept financial donations until life, interrupted by Katrina, is back to normal.

Here is how you can help. During this special holiday season send a generous financial donation to Riley's special fund set up to assist St. Anthony's School. Make checks out to "Riley's Hope for America" and send them C/O K.T Dasilva at 11 Deerfield Circle, Enfield, Ct. 06082. 100% of the money donated goes to the kids in that school.

Let me finish this article by saying to the students at Rileys, well done. You are learning the art of dancing from one of the finest dance schools in Connecticut, but more important, you are learning how to use your talents to benefit others less fortunate. So when you are tired from training and you feel like giving up, remember you danced to make a difference...and that you did.

Greg Stokes

If you are responding to this article and willing to help, let K.T know you heard about this from "The Stokes Report"