Once again, the Army Of Good has come through, and thank you.

The Bishop Maginn High School Security Wish List sold out this morning, the school has followed the recommendations of local police, who came to evaluate the school’s security in wake of the 22 school shootings this year in America and the rise in hate crimes directed to refugees and immigrant.

I can’t thank you enough for your quick response to this sad but urgent situation. Without you, the school would not able these first aid kits, ladders, signage, walkie talkies, Mylar blankets, first aid kits, backpacks, and other emergency supplies.

The Wish List remains up, there are two forms of Gift Cards available on the Wish List – 20 $25  gift cards, and 20 $10 gift cards, they will remain there so people coming to the list can find something inexpensive to buy for the school. I don’t know when the next list will go up.

We are helping to transform this school after years of struggle, declining enrollment, and budget crises and challenges. The school has a year’s worth of art supplies, music stands and room for a new choir, a new Computer Lab, a new Science lab, it’s getting a new choir and a dance group.

Within the Catholic hierarchy, the school is known as a “mission” school, it’s purpose is to help needy and vulnerable students without regard to race or religion. The Catholic Church is embroiled in devastating scandal, but many Catholics and many Christians are working hard to do good in keeping with the doctrines of Jesus Christ and Christianity.

They are helping a lot of children who have nowhere else to go. We are working to restore parts of the lost curriculum an also boost the morale of the teachers.

Every single one of the teachers individual requests for supplies for their classrooms has been answered.

The Army Of Good has donated more than $40,000 towards a new tuition fund being put together to help needy and gifted students get into the school and stay there.

In just a few hours, we raised  $10,000 for a gifted young student named Ron’  Dre’s tuition over the next three years. (Two books about his beloved Greek Mythology are on the way.)

We have enabled two other specially gifted students to remain in the school, even though their parents have no money.

We have done a remarkable job in a short time.

Every student without funds to buy school supplies has them, and each teacher is getting an IPad to help them communicate with each other and with first responders in the event of an emergency.

I am bursting with pride over the work we have begun.

And we are just getting started. The school’s art and culture and athletic programs have all been revived, and gifted, highly recommended students from other schools are beginning to replay, the word has gone out Bishop Maginn is on the move.

This support is not just about one school. It’s about our country, our values, our empathy, and human decency. It’s about the soul of America. I believe we are just getting started.

I will be at Bishop Maginn at least once or a week, usually more all through the school year. I’ll be teaching a Writing Workshop for 8 – 10 students chosen by their teachers. We hope to self-publish a book about the school. Abrah Griggs, the artistic genius who designed my blog logo, has agreed to design the book and assemble it.

This work is a profound gift to me, a calling, a chance to do good in a sustained and meaningful way. Thanks for helping me to make this dream come true, for me, for them.