Ruth was thrilled with her new red sweater, it fit perfectly and was a favorite color. For the first time, I asked  her if she needed any more clothes, and she said no, she now had everything she needed except for a couple of things I’m not going to mention. When she gets those later this week, she will be all set.

Ken says he now also has everything he needs, and he and Red have done major bonding.

Ruth has come a long way since she arrived at the Mansion with little more than the clothes on her back. The clothing campaign for the Mansion – thanks to a network of Thrift Shops on my new circuit – has been so successful that I don’t think there is anyone left there that is in need of clothes, either for the winter or for every day life.

I’ve given clothes out to 19 people there , 13 residents and six staffers – six winter wool hats, four pairs of paints, seven blouses and shirts, five winter jackets,  nine scarves and four pairs of mittens.

There are five people I haven’t yet seen to ask – I think they are mostly bed-ridden

This is a great Christmas idea, Christmas is a time for music from the heart. At the same time, the Army Of Good is flooding RISSE, the refugee and immigrant center of Albany, with much needed clothes for the refugees as winter approaches – sweaters, jackets, snow pants, winter boots, mittens, scarves, wool caps, blankets.

(The blog winter clothing drive is on until New Year’s – new and used clothing in good condition are welcome (check out swap.com – the largest thrift and consignment store in the country –  for great prices on winter clothes).

They are very grateful.

Refugees often come to American with little or no clothes or belongings, this will help them handle their first upstate New York winter.

The Mansion clothing drive was more personal. Everyone doesn’t need or want clothes, it is necessary to know them to win their trust and find out what they really want and need. This was a great experience for me, another lesson in giving and learning.

Now that I have discovered the warm and friendly world of Thrift Shops – I have a strong network of advisers and supporters there now – no Mansion resident will want for clothes. Many have generously cut prices and donated some clothes for the Mansion residents. Our circle is widening.

The Thrift Stores are not alien to me, it felt more like coming home. I loved wandering the halls of the Mansion offering colorful and useful clothes to people, and seeing them light up with shock and surprise at their new clothes.

Small things matter, often more than anything. Ruth and Ken have lost everything, and now it is their turn to get their life back, and the Army Of Good is making this possible. So thanks for your support.

I am always learning to listen and think. Every time I talk to a resident of the Mansion, I learn something new about listening.