The new Amazon Bishop Maginn Afghan Children’s Toy Wish List is up and running. Please contribute if you can.

The list was prepared in consultation with refugee coordinators and social workers who asked the Afghan parents what toys their children would most like to have. We want what they want,  not what we want.

This is their list.

There are 15 inexpensive items on the wish list list ranging from wooden puzzles to baby dolls and  Barbie dolls of color,  drawing kids, toys and racing car collections, educational building sets for boys and girls, unicorn castles sets, science experiment kits, logo building blocks, outdoor ball throwing kits, safari zoo animals and rescue station play kits.

The items range in price from $7.99 to $25.99. It works this way. You browse the list, add to the cart any items you choose and purchase them. The address default is automatic; Amazon will send the toys to Bishop Maginn and the free refugee store, a center set up for the new Afghan refugees.

Most items are multiple items, which means we are asking for two or three of each.

If you need the school address, which you shouldn’t, it’s Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, New York, 12202.

With the wish lists, you get to choose what you want to send and how much money you want to spend. There are no middle persons or administrators or bureaucrats.

If your purchase is substantial, you can get a tax credit form from Bishop Maginn; just e-mail the details to Sue Silverstein or Mike Tolan, Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202.

The donation will then be tax-deductible.

(If you don’t wish to shop online or charge things online, you can send your donation to me and I will gladly buy the items in the amount of your donation. You can donate to me via  Paypal, [email protected] or Venmo, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Books, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.)

Some of the incoming families practice Christianity; some are Muslims. Some toys will be Christmas presents; some will just keep the new refugee children occupied, stimulated, and entertained.

Muslims don’t celebrate Christmas but they share in the joy of the season.

Amazon says items purchased on the wish list now will make it to the free store by next week and certainly by Christmas.

I am also purchasing picture and language and atlas books for the refugee children from Afghanistan and having them shipped to the high school. We’ve spent more than $600 so far on books for these children, I’ve asked for support in buying more.

I am excited to think that the refugee adults and children will see the real America right away, the generous and compassionate one we all know exists.

I consider this an act of pure patriotism, and I see all donors as true patriots. Talk and bluster are cheap; empathy comes with a higher price.

You can see the list and purchase the toys here.

The free store is one of the very first experiences the new Afghan refugees will have in America. It is a beautiful and meaningful one and a powerful message.

The free refugee store, soon to be enhanced with tables and racks. It’s been emptied out four times.

Thanks so much for your support.