“So much need,” wrote Margo in a latter with a $500 check attached to it. Thanks, Margo, there is a lot of need and I will use every one of your dollars wisely and to good effect. I thank you, Margo.

I am getting organized regarding the Army of Good and the harsh realities we face. I am more committed than ever to this work.

I’m doing some belt-tightening, saying no more than I like, but I’m thinking long term.  We’re not out of money, but I have learned to think beyond this week, in my life and in my work.

Small acts of great kindness. We don’t take over lives, we support them and offer comfort, warmth, and stimulation.

The people we help are in distress and will need a limited amount of support for some time. I’m keeping it focused- small acts of great kindness. There are no millionaires in the Army Of Good that I know about.

We are helping Bishop Maginn to open safely, thinking of the kids and the teachers.  We sold out three wish lists, and now the school can meet the state requirements and open safely and confidently.

I’m helping the Mansion aides help when there are food insecurity issues. I’m helping make sure the Mansion residents all have equal access to air conditioning and have the clothes they need, summer and winter.

We spent $3,000 on foggers and sprays to keep the Mansion safe, and so far – fingers crossed – not a single resident or aide contracted the virus. There are very few elder care facilities in our state that can say that.

We’ve done a series of Mansion Wists, thank you, mostly for art and recreational supplies during their lockdown. No outings, no visitors.

When I can, I’m ordering catered lunches or dinners for the residents and the aides it breaks up the routine and they look forward to it.  But I don’t think I can sustain $260 each week all year, so I’ll do the dinners and lunches when I can.

I keep the Mansion/Refugee fund between $2,000 and $3,000, I won’t go below that in case of emergencies. I’m a little over $3,000 now thanks to Margo and Iris, angels from above, and from many other donors.

I am proud of our Amazon Wish Lists. We’ve put up more than 20 wish lists, we’ve sold out every one of them.

So many needs. There are a number of new arrivals at the Mansion that I haven’ t yet met, I am told none of them have warm clothes for the Fall. More later.

If you wish to contribute, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected], and by check, Jon Katz, Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Please don’t forget our Price Chopper Gift Card program.

If and when you can contribute, please send gift cards in any amount to me, Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. If you don’t care to purchase things on the internet,  you can send a contribution to the gift program to me, and I’ll gladly buy the cards.

We are food-supporting two refugee families and three Mansion aides in distress.

The address here is Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks for everything. There is so much need, and we have helped meet the need so well. You can see and buy the cards here.

You can also contribute here, right on my blog.