Tomorrow, another landmark for the Army Of Good. Thanks to an angel named Kimberly, who lives far away, 20 RISSE refugee and immigrant children, led by Ali and some teachers, will spend the day at the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George, N.Y.
The trip will cost more than $1,500 was weeks in the planning. It began when Ali (Amjad Abdullah Mohammed) told me he had been unsuccessful in negotiating a discount rate for his kids in the RISSE (refugee and immigrant support services) based in Albany, program.
This puzzled me, so I volunteered to do the negotiating and I must admit it was difficult and time-consuming and complex. I can see why it was hard for him.
The planning just really ended a few days ago. We did well, though, I love negotiating and used to do it when I was a media hotshot. i found the right person and we went to work to make it happen.
We got free lunches, souvenir soda bottles, photos from the rides and free parking as well as two complimentary tickets. A blog reader insisted on paying the full amount, she wished to remain anonymous and wants nothing in return.
I was planning to go tomorrow, and was excited to be going, but then came to my senses a week ago. Why should I go? My tickets ought to go to two more kids, so that is what is happening. I really wanted to take some photos, but there will be other chances. The refugee kids are returning to Pompanuck Farm for a one day visit a week from Saturday. They may visit Bedlam Farm first.
This is a big deal for these kids, most are new to America, and from what I see of them, they will love the Great Escape, it is true to its name, it is a great escape in many ways.
In their honor, I’m sponsoring another RISSE dollar day today, in which everyone who is so inclined donates $1 to RISSE, which desperately needs the money to fund it’s many adult and child education and training programs for America’s newest citizens. We have already given these kids a three day retreat and sent a $1,000 projector for the classes.
I have set up a Children’s Refugee Fund to pay for our new scholarship program – two kids have been chosen already to join an international sketching program conducted by the Brooklyn Library Of Art. We are also buying uniforms for the RISSE soccer team and have sent 90 art and creativity kits to the afterschool program.
This is a stark conflict in values, part of the schism that feels sometimes to be tearing the country apart.
You either celebrate America’s openness as a destination for the needy and the yearning, or you see it as a threat and a drain. The people I am meeting are precious, they are no drain and no threat. For one dollar, you can tell them so, and if a lot of you do it, it will matter.
I do it two or three times a week, anytime I feel down or discouraged. It is a tonic.
The idea behind the dollar day is simple. For $1, we can help this valuable and seriously underfunded program at a critical time. Last year, their building was burned to the ground by arsonists.
This year, we are telling them a different story. We are Americans, and so are they. We love our country, we embrace the immigrant experience and we wish to send a clear signal to this worthwhile organization that we support what they are doing, and we support our brothers and sisters, the refugees and immigrants who have come to partake in the American experience.
While the government moves to ban some refugees and restrict immigration, we hope to send RISSE and the people it serves a different message: we are the real America, we seek to be open, welcoming and generous. We believe you are important and we hope to support your work.
A big message for $1. This morning, I sent RISSE $500, all money donated by the Army Of Good. More to come. You can donate your dollar (or any amount you wish) here. They take Paypal and major credit cards.