The Mansion is under quarantine, and this means more hard time for the residents and the staff. The residents also have to be isolated from one another.

There are numerous restrictions on what can be sent now, but I’ve become an authority on how to meet the regulations and get safe packages in.

This involves sending arts and crafts and other supplies that are packaged in a specific way and can be stored overnight and delivered directly to the Mansion.

The residents have very specific and diverse needs.

Some have sight problems, others deal with arthritis and joint stiffness, so the things they need vary pretty wildly. By now, I have a good idea of who needs what, and the aides help me with the rest.

This took a good long while last night, but it was great fun and very rewarding.

(For now, we can’t send used clothes and other things to the Mansion. People who are writing pen pal letters should send them, they might be held in a special room for a while. But no clothes or books or used movie disks, thanks.)

I know which shippers meet these standards in terms of packages and disinfecting. So I did some scrambling.

First, I sent four HEPA air purifiers to support the disinfectant fogger we bought for the Mansion last year, and has worked so well. They cost 54.99 each, the total was $235.

I talked with some of the aides about the right arts and crafts supplies that the residents might want or need.

I send 5 “Super Cute Crochet kits, each with 10 special projects for animal lovers. The kits were $11.99 each.

I sent four 1,000 plus yard Acrylic Yarn Kits for Crochet&Knitting craft, each with 24 assorted colors, 2 crochet hooks, 2 knitting needles, 10 markers, 10 hairbands, 10 hairpins, 3 sizes of pompon makers. They are $25.99 a piece.

I sent 8 adult coloring books with stress relieving designs: animals, mandalas, plants, patterns, still lifes, among other things. $6.20 each.

Also 2 easy coloring books for an adult with inspirational quotes, $7.95 each

I send two boxes of BIC easy hold Magic Markers in assorted colors, 48 to a box, $32.12 each.

I sent Funster 100 plus Large Print Easy Crossword Puzzles, Crossword Puzzle book for adults. $12.75.

And Funster Crossword Puzzle Book for adults with 101 Large Print easy puzzles. They are $12.71 a piece.

And a different Funster Crossword Puzzle book for adults, 101 Large Print Easy Puzzles, $10.95.

In addition, I sent Bic easy to hold Magic Markers, Assorted Colors, 96 count, $44.15.

And Crayola Crayons (twistable) Colored Pencil set, 50 counts, $12.99.

Also Crayola Crayons (24 counts), Crayola Pencils in different colors (12 count), Crayola Fine Line Markers, and Crayola Broad Line Markers, $15.37.

I also ordered a Mac N’Cheese and Sandwich with cakes lunch from Jean’s Place for next Wednesday, which will cost $275.

I think this will greatly boost morale, ease the work of the aides,  and since many of the residents can’t leave their rooms, these arts and crafts projects will give them a lot to do.

Thanks for your help. If you wish to donate, you can send a contribution via Venmo, [email protected], Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz. Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

And thank you. These good people have had a wrenching year, their spirits are waning. With your support, we are helping.