This morning, I began my day by ordering water color paints for $6.95 from the new Refugee Art Kit gift page, they will be shipped to Rachel Barlow. This is how I’m going to start my day for awhile, by doing good and feeling good.

I’m very happy to share the news that Rachel Barlow, the creative whiz who came up with the idea of creativity and art kits for refugee children has opened up an Amazon Art Kit Gift Page, (ship to draw.paint.create) just like the very successful one we used for refugee families a couple of months ago. This is the best, least expensive and most efficient way to help a very worth cause.

You can also donate cash contributions (see below.)

Rachel, an author, illustrator and painter from Vermont, has raised just under $900 so far in her very wonderful idea to make 90 art kits for refugee children and send them to the RISSE refugee and immigrant and support center in Albany, N.Y.  She needs $1,200 to make up the rest of the 90 kits.

There are a lot of recently-arrived refugee children in the area, and 90 of them attend day care and other support services on the second floor of a Methodist Church. They are doing valiant work and need help.

Many refugee children are struggling to adjust – to make friends, learn English, succeed in their classes. Art kits like the ones Rachel is making. You can support this idea by choosing which of the art kit elements you wish to donate, some are as inexpensive as $1.99, some are $25. The donations are sent to Rachel, who will assemble the kit, along with Maria and me.

I will bring them to Albany.

Rachel has already made more than 100 of these kits, they are an enormous success.

These kids are found by social workers to have an enormous impact on often traumatized refugee children struggling to acclimate, find their own voice and build their confidence. Rachel has also donated some of these kits to traumatized children living in foster care.

(Three boxes from the new page arrived on Saturday. We are close. Another victory for the Army Of Good.)

They permit these children to tell their own stories and they show the refugee children what America is really all about, we are a generous and welcoming people. They need to hear that now, and you can send that message for just a few dollars. Thanks so much for considering this. We are almost there.

If you prefer, you can donate any amount you wish through Paypal or major credit cards by going here.

Or you can choose your gift by going to the gift page here.