This week, some members of the soccer team went to Wal-Mart with Ali to buy new clothes for high school, they asked not to be photographed because they didn’t wish to be stereotyped as “poor  refugees.” I understand that and respected their wishes and sent $600 along with them.

Normally, I always photograph the people we are helping so that the people who send money will know where their money is going. Yesterday, I went to the Mansion to commit four small acts of great kindness and also did not take photographs.

At the Mansion, I don’t photograph people in distress, or who are gravely ill, or who are receiving personal items. Last week, I received four requests for personal items. One man needed two pairs of sweatpants for the winter, he had no pants to wear in the colder weather.

One female resident needed new underwear, she needs two sets of five pairs. Another resident did not own any kind of pants, she only came to the Mansion with dresses, and has suffered through the summer before people realized that she wasn’t dressing this way by choice. Another resident was suffering from swollen feet, she could barely get them into her stiff shoes and was limping.

Sometimes the residents ask me directly, and I always check with the staff.

The Mansion staff is always vigilant for problems like this, and they let me know right away if there is trouble. Most of them are shy about asking me for help, but they are getting used to it and we are helping people in a new and useful way.

I delivered all of these items to the Mansion yesterday, and the aides there distributed them last night. They all fit and are what the residents needed. Between my thrift shop network and online shopping, I am becoming a whiz at buying clothes and personal items for men and women.

I don’t liked to buy used items for personal things like underwear, shoes or sweatpants, I prefer to get the residents new clothing. All of these items together cost about $125 and will alter lives for months.

I wanted to let you know that we made four people comfortable and helped them to be cool in warm weather, and warm in the cold weather approaching on Sunday.

Thank you for your help, I wanted you to know what your support is accomplishing. If you want to contribute to this work, you can send a donation to me, Jon Katz, c/o Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark any checks or donations to “The Mansion” or the “Refugee Fund,” and thanks.

The Mansion staff has posted a new Amazon Mansion Wish List with four items, three tablecloth sets for the dining room, and one electric skillet for $38.99. The tablecloth sets cost around $25. Check it out.