You did it again, and in just a few hours.

An historic day for the blog, for good people seeking to do good, for the refugee children, and for the true spirit our generous country. Thank you. Rachel Barlow, the artist and author who started the Art Kit program for refugee children – draw.paint.create – sought our help in raising $900 to make her Creativity Kits, she has raised more than $1,000 since Monday afternoon.

I hope people who despair about our country and our ability to bring about change – to see it’s true heart and soul  – is following today. We also raised $10,000 so the residents of the Mansion Assisted Care Facility can buy a new van.

I am feeling hopeful and grateful about the gift we are all receiving – the chance to fulfill our noble spirits and to demonstrate our highest human potential.

We all have our own ideas about what makes a country great, for me, this is one of the things makes America great. For the first time in my life, I feel like a patriot, fighting for the true meaning of liberty and for a compassionate world.

One thing at a time, one person at a time one day at a time. Rachel is the woman of the hour today.

Rachel Barlow is a hero of mine, her compassion and fierce creative spirit have helped launch something powerful and affirming, and of enormous comfort to the refugee children who can use these kits to help heal, find their voices, and adjust to our complex and sometimes difficult country.

Rachel, a devoted mother of two boys, writes about children and family life on her popular blog.

What’s in a kit? Look here.

This money will go to create more than 60 kits that will go out to newly arrived refugee children, there are many more than that, and Rachel is looking to contact other refugee groups in other cities. If you wish, feel free to continue supporting this idea, even thought she has reached her initial goal. This is a wonderful way to welcome these children to America.

Thanks to you, and congratulations to Rachel. She intends to expand and continue this program of sending art kits to refugee children.  We can help them light their creative sparking, creativity gives them strength and also a voice to create their own visions and messages.

Any future donations will be put to good use, and I will certainly keep on writing about this wonderful new idea. I’m proud to know Rachel, a prominent Vermont artist and author. She understands suffering and creativity and is using her gifts for good, not just argument.