I was in the Battenkill Bookshop signing books today when a woman came in touched my should and asked if I was Jon Katz. I admitted my guilt, and she smiled and said she was a reader of the blog and wanted to know how to join the Army Of Good, if there was an application form or ID.

I said we were a grass-roots and truly populist movement, there was no list or admission requirements, anyone was in who wished to be in and donations and contributions were entirely voluntary. The idea, I said, was many people sending small amounts of money to do a lot of good.

This, I repeated, was our way of feeling good and grounded, and doing good, rather than arguing about what good is.

This is already a good week for the Army of Good, one of its warriors for good send a check for $1,200 to pay for a three day retreat at the Pompanuck Farm Institute for the members of the RISSE soccer team. (Maria and I will be helping with meals, she will lead a hike into the state forest, I will read scary stories by the campfire.)

And Summer the stray cat will be spayed and given her shots and get to come inside.

Several others have volunteered to help purchase a projector and screen for the RISSE refugee and immigration support center in Albany to be used in their adult and child classrooms. Maria and I are buying new jerseys for the soccer team, the team will be named the “Bedlam Farm Warriors.”

Today, another voluntary opportunity to do good. The Mansion is a Medicaid Assisted Care Facility, which is well and lovingly run, but which does not have much – any – extra money for frills or luxuries, and their funding and reimbursement is difficult and is apt only to get worse.

The residents live in an old Victorian mansion near the center of town, it sits on seven beautiful acres. But the residents have trouble using the beautiful grounds in summer and good weather, many of them have trouble walking on uneven ground or manipulating walkers and wheel chairs there.

We would love to help them get outside and enjoy the beautiful grounds.

Several residents and members of the staff have told me  they would love to purchase six or seven inexpensive plastic lawn chairs and one or two folding tables to bring outside to the residents could have picnics and parties and other activities outside on nice days.

The chairs and table would be placed right near where Red is standing, close to the rear, where they are building a new ramp.

I heartily endorse this project, one of the staffers and i were looking online and they have found several possibilities, one or two at a nearby Wal-Mart, one at a local hardware store.

The estimate is about $500, possibly a little less, depending on delivery, materials etc.

The table needs to be portable and plastic as well, for mobility and safety. Nothing that could cause splinters or is too heavy to move.

If you choose to help with this project, you can contribute in one of two ways. You can send a check to The Picnic Fund,  P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or to my Paypal account,  Friends and Family. ID [email protected].

For bookkeeping purposes, please mark any contributions to either PICNIC Fund, The Mansion. Thanks. I don’t wish to stress anyone financially, please do not feel any pressure to contribute, and if you do, do not be uncomfortable with small amounts. They add up quickly, and this Army seems to be growing.

And do not be uncomfortable sending nothing. I  remind you that you that the most important thing anyone sends the residents are letters and postcards and photographs, they are much loved, shared and read, over and over again.

They lift spirits and keep the feeling of human connection alive. The most valuable donations any of us give are are love and attention. In the Mansion, the residents no longer feel forgotten or left behind, and that is thanks to you.

If you wish to write them, here is a list of residents who would like to hear from you: Bruce, Allan, Sylvie, Jean, John Z, Tim, Ben, John R., Alanna, Peggie, Ellen, Joan, Brenda, Connie, Alice, Madeline, Mary, Barbara, William, Brother Peter, Diane, Helen, Jane, Dottie, Anita, Richard, Gerry, Charlotte, Arthur, George.

You can write the residents at this address: The Mansion, 11 S. Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Some of the residents are not able to respond to your letters, but many do. I see the dog-eared stacks of letters by their beds and I see and feel their excitement when someone writes to them. July Fourth, the next major holiday, is approaching and that might be a time to think of them. They will have a party honoring the nation’s birthday.

Thanks. I am beyond proud at the good we have done, the arguments and anger of others are a gift to us and many more.