26 March

For The Mansion: Pizza, Masks, Easels, Books

by Jon Katz

We are dealing with food for the refugee students and their families, and I dropped off 20 laptop computers for the Mobile Workshop this morning.

I am focusing right now for the next couple of days on the Mansion, which I feel I’ve been neglecting a bit.

Their needs are modest but urgent.

First, masks. Most available masks are going to nursing homes and hospitals, the Mansion is getting low on theirs.

Using my newly acquired online browsing skills, I found 150 masks for $88.66. They will arrive at the Mansion in a little over a week.

Maria heard about this and jumped on it, she is making 6 masks herself (I bet they will be pretty cool) and we’ll drop them off at the Mansion this afternoon.

Reading: I got a big box of large print books, some from a blog reader, some from a library book shop in Williamstown. They have been delivered. The cost was minimal.

I purchased an Ipad for community reading and video sharing for those with sight or other problems. The Mansion is setting up its own network to share videos and movies. It cost $300.

I purchased six easels so the residents can begin a series of painting projects while they are confined. They cost $186.

I am regularly ordering special pizzas for the aides, lunch, and dinner, several times a week. Four large pizzas (two for lunch for the aides, two for dinner) costs around $98.00 for all four.

I’ve contracted with Jean’s Place to prepare special lunches and desert days for the residents. Friday, cupcakes, blueberry pies, muffins after lunch. Next Friday, pizza or Chinese food. Maybe one other lunch, or one lunch a week if this goes on.

We are working on an Amazon  Mansion Wish List for art supplies and new movie titles.

It is expected that the lockdown at the Mansion will continue for several months, even after the virus has peaked.  They really need help providing stimulation and some surprises and artwork.

Delivering different foods is a major morale booster at the Mansion, it brings some variety and excitement and breaks the routine.

Also, the residents love the food from Jean’s Place.

I think it would be welcome if any of you wished to send cards or animal photos or designed cards for general entertainment. We could put them up on bulletin boards in the hallways and the residents wouldn’t need to touch or handle them. Even photos of where you live.

The Mansion address is The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

In addition, Maria and I are sending a stream of videos from the farm for the

Zinnia and I walk by the windows when we can to say hello and wave. Zinnia is puzzled, she rushes to the door and whines, but she can’t get it. I keep telling her therapy dogs can work at home.

If you wish to support this work, that would be great. It’s frustrating for me, they are in great need and I can’t go into the building. But I am finding other ways to help.

Please contribute only if it doesn’t put pressure on you. A lot of people are hurting. You can contribute via Paypal, [email protected] or by check,  Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

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