At The Mansion, we do not perform miracles, we do not play God, we commit small acts of great kindness. Every few weeks, I sponsor an outing, lunch at the Round House Cafe (above) for three or four residents. Julie, the Activities Director, always comes along. We order off the menu, usually soup and sandwiches.

The groups are small so that we can talk and get to know each other. I love hearing the residents tell the story of their lives.

Getting out for lunch means a great deal to the residents, and the lunches have become  important to me as well. In these small gatherings, I see the great value of them being out in the world among people.

It is so important that they get to step out of their lives.

One of the residents does not want to be photographed, I always warn her and she turns away from the camera. It is always their choice to be photographed or not.

I get the best tips on what the residents need from some of the night staff, they know as well as anyone what clothes or shoes the residents have, they help  put them to bed. At Bingo night, I get slips of paper asking for help for this resident or that one.

Tonight, one of the men told me he needs warmer sweatpants for the winter. I ordered two pairs for him.

An aide told me an older woman desperately needs wide shoes, her feel have swollen and it is painful for her to walk in her old shoes. She is, I was told, in pain  whenever she puts her shoes on.

Another aide told me of a resident who only owns dresses, she has no sweatpants or comfortable summer or fall clothes. I ordered her two pairs of sweatpants, one colorful, one black. Two residents needed underwear, I got three sets.

This week, the Mansion’s new Portable Lightweight Wheelchair Scale is on the way, courtesy of the Army of Good. The very old one they had was too narrow and was extraordinarily difficult for the staff to use.

We have made a huge difference to the residents. If you wish to help me help the residents, you can send a contribution to me, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the check or payments “The Mansion.” And thanks.