I went to Albany this afternoon to meet Ali and see the mighty RISSE – the Refugee And Immigrant Support Services Emmaus of Albany – soccer team at one of its first practice sessions at a middle school field in the city just outside the downtown..

Today I began working with Ali and his assistant coach Dave Zimmerman to figure out to help this team – composed entirely of refugee children, new immigrants to America – compete this Spring and Summer in the regional soccer games and competitions.

I can’t think of a better project for me to work on, as refugees are being demonized and offered up as scapegoats all over the country. These children are no threat to us, they are loving and generous and have suffered more than enough.

When I pulled into the school parking lot, a half-dozen kids were standing by my car door. “Hello, Jon,” each one said, shaking my hand as I stepped out of the car. “Thanks for coming.”

I confess I was startled to learn of the costs of playing soccer – the game most of these kids played in their own countries – in our country. Some tournaments cost $1,000 to enter, the fees for some games are $500. Then there are uniforms, balls and cones,  special shoes and practice clothes.

RISSE has little money and the team has to raise all its costs on their own. I hope I can help.

Ali would also like to join a nearby gym with a pool where the kids can practice in bad weather and also swim and exercise in between games. He means for the team to be competitive. I had a beautiful couple of hours on the practice field on a beautiful day. Next week, I plan to bring Red along, he is a lucky dog.

Ali and Dave and I are going to be talking in the coming days to see how me and the Army of Good can help them field a team, they are eager to be competitive, they are working hard.

Today, I brought Ali colored shirts called Pinnies, brightly colored jerseys that help the referees and coaches see which team is which. They are wearing them in the photo above. Last week, I didn’t even know what a Pinnie was. We are trying to figure out how donations can be estimated and transmitted and collected.

The 90 art kits from Rachel Barlow were distributed last week, and the refugee children are tearing into them.

Ali asked me if I wanted to have my name on the uniforms if he needs more. I laughed. No, I don’t.

These are the kids who will be going to the Great Escape in July, courtesy of a generous person from Minnesota. Ali gave the kids a strong and clear coaching speech. Time to practice and work hard and pay attention, he said. Everybody was.

I have to figure out how all this can work. I have to figure out what I can do myself, and when I need to ask for help, how much, and what for. I need to figure out what can be done for RISSE and also how to get the money quickly to the children.  Ali is thinking of setting up a special Paypal donation page for the children. I think it’s a good idea. In the meantime, I can help out with my own pages.

I need to figure out how we can collect the money and get it directly to these kids, I can see how important it is for them. We’ll work it out. I think the kids are coming to the farm soon, they can see a bit of my world – the working dogs and the donkeys – and see some cows milked and get some excellent pizza.

If I need help, I ask for it, and I will stay involved in the process. It will go precisely where Ali says it will go, and where you are told it will go. If there is an extra money ever collected, it will go to help the children, much of their lives center around RISSE classes and activities.

I’m excited, if I need help I will ask for it, and be specific about what it will cost and what for. I’m not much of a sports fan, and I know nothing about soccer, but I like this time. Maybe I’ll be standing on the sidelines soon shouting at the refs to wake up.