A very wonderful woman named Helen who does not wish for me to use her full name,  very generously offered to help me purchase the Tin Man for Bedlam Farm yesterday.

It was a beautiful offer, but I told her I couldn’t accept it, I can’t be taking people’s money to buy art (I sure don’t regret taking help for my camera several  years ago,)  especially when there are so many good uses to put it too right now.

Helen respected my feelings, but she quickly said she would like to use the money to make a contribution to the refugee children, instead. Would I accept that? I said yes, if she was sure, I couldn’t refuse to accept money for the RISSE  refugee kids, some of whom are photographed above with their teacher Ali.

I had trouble going to sleep last night thinking about how to use the money, several hundred dollars. And it hit me around sunrise. A scholarship fund for the refugee kids.

I asked Helen if it was okay to use the money to start the Refugee Children’s Scholarship Fund. A program to help the refugee children take some classes to further and supplement their education and adjustment to America. To show them the true heart and spirit of America, a country searching for a heart right now.

For a relatively small amount of money – none of these kids are near college act – this fund could help them find their creative sparks, or pursue and expand their interests and passions. These are the things that will help them find their place in America, expand their potential and help the define and pursue their dreams, which is, for me, what America is all about.

I have already met and heard of some promising candidates for special instruction – one is a gifted artist, another plays the violin, another the piano, another is obsessed with computer programming but is frustrated the lack of special instruction in school.

We could alter the lives of these children for very little money.

They will also learn that America is not just a nation of fearful and envious people, but a generous country, with a big heart.

This morning, I’m going to my bank to open a special bank account for all donations and support for the refugee children. I’m using Helen’s money and some of mine to start the account with $1,000.  This will include not only the RISSE soccer team but also the other 80 plus children in the RISSE after school and special education program.

The account will help me keep track of the money and know exactly how much there is and where it is going. Ali and the other teachers have the final world on where the money will go. He knows these children better than anyone. He loves the idea, I called him early and woke him up to tell  him about it.

Ali and the staff at RISSE, the refugee and immigrant support center of the Emmaus Methodist Church in Albany, will help locate and monitor the children who would benefit the most from special help, from art instruction to tutoring to music lessons or computing instruction.

The goal is to encourage a visible skill or interest. To provide these children with the tools they will need to advance through our culture. Tools that may level the playing field some. I believe this could be of enormous help to these children.

Ideally, this is work that government might support, but in our world, any kind of support from the government for these children is either being canceled or cut back. They need our help.

I will accept donations to the Scholarship Fund, but remember, if a lot of people donate small amounts then no one has to extend themselves, although you can donate any amount you choose, or none at all.

If you like this idea and wish to donate you can send a check to the Children’s Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. You can also contribute via Paypal Friends and Family, you can send the donation to [email protected]. Paypal also permits the use of major credit cards.

I will report regularly how much money is in the fund and where it is going. Some families accept publicity, some fear it now.

I am reminded that the RISSE offices were burned to the ground by arsonists just a year ago, and the hatred and controversy surrounding refugees and immigrants is much more heightened today. They hear all of the talk of banning people like them from America.

So I’m headed to the back. I repeat that small contributions are just as welcome as larger ones, there are a lot of you out there, the money adds up in this way. I am committed to this work and will leave the choices of recipients entirely to Ali and the RISSE teachers and staff.

It would be inappropriate for me or anyone else outside of RISSE to participate in those decisions. So if you are comfortable with this, your help will be most welcome, the news of the Army  Of Good is spreading.I thank you for listening.

Welcome to the Refugee Chidren’s Scholarship, and Helen, I thank you greatly. You have spawned some good.