Plaque will mark grave of murdered toddler

Adrienne T. Washington

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Thank you, dear readers, thank you. In just a few short days, you have made it possible for Cathy Connelly of Annandale to buy a bronzed memorial plaque for little Dontray Kevin Bradley.

Dontray was brutally beaten to death on his second birthday in June. The man accused of this heinous crime - reportedly upset because the toddler wet on his feet - is walking the streets on bond.

Last week, I wrote a column about Mrs. Connelly's one-woman mission to buy an $850 grave marker for Dontray so he will not be forgotten. Yesterday, carrying an envelope stuffed with your contributions, she and I returned to Harmony Memorial Park in Landover where Dontray is buried in a pauper's grave.

Your response was overwhelming and heartwarming: As of yesterday, 40 donors had sent in $1,212. She was able to upgrade and pay for a marker that would have taken her 32 months to pay off on her own and still have $275 left for other charities.

Many of you who wrote or called said you, too, remember either the horrendous story of Dontray's death or his picture on the news. Some said it was an honor to help Mrs. Connelly.

Almost all of you said you wished you could do more. But what you have done is more than enough.

Your checks and contributions - mainly $25 each - have come in from all over the Washington area and as far away as Baltimore and Harper's Ferry, W.Va.

There was a $100 postal money order sent anonymously. Collections were taken up by the GAP Community Child Care Center in Northwest, the D.C. Department of Corrections, the U.S. Marshal's Service and U.S. District Court employees.

There were the $5 and $2 cash contributions that brought tears to our eyes. It reminded me of the parable about the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44), in which Jesus watches the rich contribute much at the temple, but is especially moved by a poor woman who gives all she has when she can scarcely afford it.

Many checks came with notes expressing similar sentiments. "There are plenty of us out here who feels as she does but we lack the motivation to actually do something," wrote Dana M. Coleman of Landover.

Some sent thoughtful letters. "I ponder Cathy Connelly, mother of five," wrote Maurice Marsolais of Fairfax. "What inspired her to do this? This column forced me to stop and think, `Maury, are you as good a person as Cathy Connelly? I don't know. I have to examine myself. . . . Can I be better than I am?' "

Marine Sgt. Beth Ann Novak, stationed at Quantico, said she will be without a job next month, but found it in her heart and pocketbook to give something for Dontray's grave marker.

"I wish so much that I could have helped him when he was alive as I'm sure you do," she wrote. "But I'm sure he smiles down at you from heaven for your pure and unconditional act of love."

Mrs. Connelly has an excess of $275 and money is still coming in. Yesterday, she searched through the Catalogue of Caring, looking for a charity that helps abused or abandoned children among the 1,800 listed with Helpline of the Combined Federal Campaign.

She would like to forward your donations in Dontray Bradley's memory to two organizations: the District Boarder Baby Project, which houses and cares for babies abandoned at birth by their poor and drug-addicted mothers, and For Love of Children.

Since 1965, that group has been serving homeless, abused children and their families by providing them with family preservation services, housing, foster and group homes, counseling, alternative schooling, outdoor education, and advocacy.

"It's really gratifying to know that there are compassionate, kind and caring people who are just as shocked as I am at the acts of brutality against defenseless and helpless children whose lives are entrusted to us," Mrs. Connelly said. "For this little boy, I really think he's being touched by sweetness wherever he is because of everyone's outpouring of love for him."

I'm sure Dontray Kevin Bradley is most assuredly thankful. Because of one woman trying to do one thing for one child, he will not be forgotten.

Thank you all, once again.