I am always a bit surprised when people write me to thank me for the opportunity to send me some of their money. That’s a new idea for me, I expect people to be annoyed when they are asked for money.

Today, Janet Hamilton wrote on my Facebook Page that she was grateful, as a person without a lot of money, to be able to help people and show that you didn’t need to be a billionaire to change lives.

That was an important message for me to hear, because I realize that so much of the work we are doing by the people who call themselves The Army of Good is just that.

They are ordinary people who are not rich, who don’t have SuperPacs, who aren’t power mad billionaires, can have the opportunity, as they put it, to contribute small amounts of money that do good and change lives. “Thank you so much for letting me help, ” Jane wrote from Michigan yesterday, she sent a check with a beautiful notecard.

That’s it, really, that’s the idea behind the Army Of Good and also my work. I don’t have a lot of money either, but changing people’s lives has become one of the joys of my life. I can be an intermediary, I can find people who need help and let ordinary people help, something it is increasingly difficult to do in our Corporate, Billionaire-Dominated country.

it is hard to find worthy people who need help in was we can respond to. All of the needs we see and hear about seem so vast and unreachable.

A few months ago, the staff and I talked and we identified two Mansion residents as people who might benefit from special stuffed animals or realistic baby dolls. One was Diane, and the other was Jean, above. Jean is almost desperate to see Red when he is there, she clutches him until I tell her she has to leave.

A few weeks ago, we got Diane  a doll named Sue that has proven a powerful grounding and loving object for Diane. It was a tremendous success, and I am looking for ways to repeat it.

Tonight, I gave Jean a stuffed cat I bought for her, her need seemed to be for a special animal, one that would provide an outlet for her powerful nurturing instincts, something to  hold and hug, to answer her need to touch and love something again.

I am not a hugger, but I have become a hugger at the Mansion, the residents are often starved for some physical and emotional contact. They often transfer these needs onto stuffed animals or special dolls. Every time I leave, I am hugged all the way out the door and thanked for coming and being Red. I have come to like it.

Jean was so happy to see this cat, to hold her, clutch her to her heart. When I last saw her after our bingo game, she was walking slowly and carefully with her walker to bed. The cat was going to sleep with her. I have never seen her so happy or contented.

This cost $15 dollars.

There was no billionaire or millionaire involved, no legislation or government program, no non-profit organization holding benefit dinners and launching marketing campaigns. Just some ordinary people who send small  checks or even smaller amount of cash – $5, $10, $50, $100, sometimes $500, even $1,000.

My Mansion fund has about $2,000 in it, which is where I like to keep it. I don’t  seek huge amounts, I don’t care to keep money hanging around in the bank, I am always on the lookout for small acts of great kindness, things, like Jean’s doll that cost little but have enormous consequence and impact.

As I get to know the Mansion residents and the staff – something I never did before – I am learning how to help them in small but consequential ways. Because of the Mansion Wish List, there are quality crafts projects and games, and the tools and seeds and bulbs for a beautiful new garden out back. The list is sold out – again – and thanks, it will be replenished next week.

Tonight, a resident playing bingo told me her room was hot. I explained to her, as the staff did, that state regulations require the Mansion to keep the heat on until the beginning of June, and some of the rooms get warm. The air conditioners we bought for some rooms can’t be installed until then.

But would she like a fan?,I asked her.

This resident, who  refuses all gifts, prizes or help, thought for awhile and needed yes, and then, “yes,” she said, softly. Tomorrow, I’ll get over to the hardware store and get her a good fan.

Thanks, Janet for reminding me what is special about this work. None of us are rich, we are all seeking ways to use the resources we have to help people in ways that matter, on a small and  rational scale. That is pretty special. I feel as if we are keeping good alive.

If you wish to help, please send your contributions to The Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected].