The staff has not yet told the Mansion residents that they may be getting a new van, they didn’t want to raise their hopes in case the gofundme project failed to work. But we’re getting much closer. And it is working.

As of Thursday evening, we’ve raised $7,600. I think it’s almost time to tell them, they will be so excited at the thought of their big new van with a “Mansion” decal on the side to take the beyond the borders of the Mansion and out to their doctors, farms, parks, shopping, family and friends.

In the world of assisted care, the geography can be small and confining. Having a working van means stimulation, connection, excitement. I know how excited the residents were when they first came to Bedlam Farm, someone asks me every time I go there when they can come back.

They can come back anytime they wish, but their old van is dying, and they are in danger of not being able to go anywhere. The Mansion is a Medicaid facility, they have little extra money to spare. George Scala, the owner, has raised $10,000 for half of the ban, and we have raised more than $7,600 in just five days. If we can raise $2,400 more, then the residents will have their van, and the world will open up for them.

The most poignant thing about your contributions is how small many of them are – $10, $25, some $50 and even $100. Every dollar counts and it is touching to see how grass-roots this project is. This is what I love most about crowdsourcing, small numbers of people giving a little to do a lot of good.

“Here’s to a safe ride that provides many adventures, ” wrote Elizabeth Huyenga on the project page. She donated $25.

Thank you so much for your support for these people, you have already transformed their lives. It’s hard to even articulate what you have already done for them. For once, I don’t really have words. You can see the gofundme page here.