By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — David Silva may be the neighbor everyone wishes they had.
Silva was looking for an opportunity to help his neighbor, Ann Kelly, who had a stroke last June. Kelly subsequently suffered brain damage and is unable to move. However, because Kelly, who is now 51, was born deaf, her recovery is further complicated.
However, Kelly’s brother Tim said his sister is making progress.
“Annie is getting better and better all the time thanks to therapy and constant care of the doctors and nurses,” he said. “Anyone who has ever met her or has known her all her life knows that she is so honest, so funny and hard working. She smiles, you smile.”
He said it was Ann Kelly’s strength and character that helped the family deal with the loss of their mother in 2003.
“She is a great and caring person,” Tim Kelly said. “I am proud to be a brother.”
Silva, who is very close with the family of three brothers and two sisters, lives a block away from the family in South Amboy and wanted to do something to help improve Ann Kelly’s quality of life. He came up with the idea of a fundraiser, inspired by the recent success of a fundraiser for Wyatt Rojewski, a city 2-year-old with neuroblastoma.
“South Amboy is a small community of families that have known each other for many years,” Silva said. “We’re a community that strives to help the ones in need.”
Silva is looking to help the family raise $50,000, which would help pay for various medical expenses, including a special wheelchair for Ann Kelly that would enable her oxygen to be mounted to it.
Currently, the Kelly family has raised just over $11,000 through a GoFundMe online fundraising page.
Saturday’s fundraiser, which will be Irish-themed, will feature musical entertainment, including the Col. D.B. Kelly Pipes & Drums, and raffles.
Silva said he chose the theme because of the Kellys’ heritage, a common one in the city. The Kellys’ father, Michael, had been named grand marshal of the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day parade a decade ago.
In addition to providing the space, the Knights of Columbus will be providing some instruments for the musicians. Silva added that he is very grateful to both the Knights of Columbus and the various local businesses that are sponsoring the event.
“With the help of all of the local businesses and the local musicians, we’re able to provide some support and comfort [to Ann Kelly],” he said. “Everyone’s doing everything they can.”
The Feb. 20 event will begin at 2 p.m. at the hall, Fourth Street and North Stevens Avenue. The $25 tickets are available in advance by calling 732-721-2025 or by purchasing them at the door. The GoFundMe page is located at https://www.gofundme.com/s54mbcf6.
