Do not let anyone tell you there are no angels in the world.

I encountered one last night. A few days ago, writing about Ali and the kids at the Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) in Albany, New York. I wrote that Ali has been trying for a very long time to raise money and get 16 of the kids he teaches to the Great Escape Adventure Park near Lake George, N.Y.

He has not been able to raise the money. Yesterday, a very lovely and generous human being named Kimberly (she lives in the Midwest, where some of the world’s nicest people live) offered to pay the $800 ticket price to the park. I told her I am certain that we can raise any additional funds quickly.

I called Kimberly last night and spoke with her, and there is nothing more affirming than meeting such a good, open and warm-hearted person. Watching the news, we can easily forget that most people are eager to do good, given the chance.

Kimberly got it right away and was eager to support it. She will make it possible. I didn’t even get a chance to fund-raise on the blog, the Army of Good is everywhere.

This makes the trip possible.  Ali messaged me this morning, he said he was happy to know me. Ditto.

This morning, I found an angel on the Great Escape side, her name is Sandy, and she was extremely helpful and supportive of the RISSE kids, who come from some of the most troubled places on the earth.  Many of them have not yet been outside of the city of Albany.

The Great Escape will open up their hearts and souls, they need nothing more than a good day of pure fun. They have known almost unrelenting dislocation, uncertainty and sometimes, isolation. Sandy was a pleasure to talk to, we will make this happen.

There are lots of options at places like the Great Escape and Sandy patiently and clearly explained them to me. I even wrote them down and remember them.

Today I’m meeting with Ali at RISSE and we’ll go over the options with him. The prices vary depending on what time of the summer we go, and whether do or do not  get a catered lunch along with the tickets, or use Comet Cash, get photos taken on all the rides, and do or do not go home with  a big Great Escape Souvenir Cup.

(The cup is $9.99. The kids will get to understand America even better.)

I think the best deal is late June. It’s a day long experience.

We have to hash out some final details before it can happen.

My head is spinning. Sandy is great, sometimes you just find people who make things happen professionally and courteously. In fact, if you wish to e-mail her and thank her for supporting this, it might make her day. She is Sandy at [email protected].

So we’ll pick a date, do our paperwork, sign a group contract, figure out exactly how much money we need to do this things, and I have agreed to come along on the trip. With my camera. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day. I messaged Kimerbly this morning (she is modest and doesn’t want her full name disclosed) and said this is so much more fun than arguing about the world.

We don’t need any more money at the moment, thanks.  Kimberly wants to fund the trip, but I don’t wish to take advantage of her. If we need more help, I will either get the money or ask for help. No need to send any. Save it for the soccer uniforms. They will be a lot cheaper, at least I think so.

Ali has been trying to pull this off for a long time, he loves the kids he teaches very much. It’s wonderful to be able to help make this possible for him and them, thank you Kimberly. I don’t mind amusement parks much myself.

I’ve been to the Great Escape a few times, interestingly. When Maria and I first got together, she was working at a home for the emotionally disabled in Argyle, N.Y. She often took some of the residents to the Great Escape and sometimes I met her there.  I often think of it when I think of us. Maybe this time I’ll get on some of the faster rides.