I’ve asked Madeline a dozen times if she wanted an air conditioner for her room, and she has always said the same thing: “no, I don’t need one, get one for somebody else.” A staffer told me this week that Madeline’s room was one of the warmest in the Mansion, it catches the sun all day long, it is on one of the corners.
“She’ll never ask for anything,” said the staffer, “she’s always thinking of somebody else.”
I knocked on Madeline’s door and asked her again today if she needed a portable air condition. “No,” she said, “I was raised in an orphanage, I can take care of myself.”
Then I tried a different tack, I was sweating the minute I walked in there, and I saw that she was sweating also.
“Madeline,” I said. “Listen, I’m buying you a portable window air conditioner. It’s coming in two days. I just wanted you to know. It’s all paid for. And we are taking care of the other people who need one, also, one by one.”
I smiled. Madeline smiled. “Thank you,” she said, and came over to give me a hug. Then I was told Bill’s room on the other side was also very hot, and I knocked and went in and asked him if he needed an air conditioner, I assured him it would be paid for.
He was lying in bed, taking a nap. “I would really appreciate one,” he said, quietly, almost disbelieving that it would be that simple.
So two more air conditioners coming, I just found out about these two today, I see I have to work to do, it’s not as simple as taking a survey. The people at the Mansion have great pride, they have worked all of their lives and value their independence, they are simply not use to getting things for free. And sometimes, they worry that they will have to pay for the things they get.
It has been more difficult than I thought. But I am getting there. I am willful.
The Mansion air conditioning project is moving forward, one room at a time. I see I will have to go to each room and ask each resident, it’s the only way I can be certain I will get one to everyone who needs one. My sense of it is that there are only two or three more rooms that need one. So I’m ordering two more portable LG 8,000 BTU units.
I learned of one other resident, a woman, who is struggling with the heat. She also told me she didn’t need one, but others might.
I have enough money to pay for these two, if you wish to donate money to support the Mansion residents, you can send a check to Jon Katz at Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y. Please earmark it for the Mansion Air Conditioners, you can also send a donation via Paypal, my ID is [email protected].
You can write Madeline c/o Madeline, The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
Note: You can comment on this post by clicking on the heading, or headline, of each post. Thanks, that will take you to a comment field.
Jon – I am concerned about the electric bills for the Mansion with all the new air and comfort. Can the Mansion accept donations (if needed) for the power bills? Can you tell I am an accountant? Jeez. Thank you for the blog, it inspires and pushes me daily.
Judy, let’s keep our boundaries here, please and thank you for your concern. We can worry ourselves to death, but the Mansion has very updated power and utilities, they do not need assistance with their electric bill. I see you are an accountant, if a need like that arises they would tell me and I would tell you. The new units are very efficient and will only be on part of the year. The more pressing issue is for the air conditioners themselves,and you are welcome to donate for them. And thanks.
Jon, this is all wonderful! But, has anyone thought of the additional electric bill cost? Or does the Mansion receive a “special rate”. Your blog gives hope to all. Linda Russell Volo IL
This is not something you need to worry about Linda, and I don’t wish the comments to be about worrying, I do enough of it myself. If such a problem should arise, I would tell people about it, otherwise, let’s be helpful, and not worrisome. That will wear on me quickly, I’m just being honest. We will probably buy five or six window units all told, and the Mansion is enormous and well wired. This will not come close to straining their power or their resources. I don’t wish this to be a place of constant alarm. And thanks, I do appreciate your caring.
How wonderful that you are checking each resident and room. Older folks tend to not turn on their a/c. My mom lived to be 94, and we were constantly urging her to turn on her a/c when it was unbearable hot out. She had one in her bedroom as well as a large unit on her 1st floor. In addition to that, we would find her with a sweater on when the units were off. I immediately noticed what Madeline was wearing in this photo and it made me think of my mom. This is such an important project that you have taken on.
Thank you for bringing attention to these wonderful folks and for helping them. I love your BIG heart !!!!!
Thank you.
Thank you, Jon, for sharing your thoughts and deeds. I especially like that you are not wringing your hands over all of the people in your entire community that need help. You have chosen wisely to help the Mansion residents. It seems that people become paralyzed because there is so much need in our world, rather than picking some way to help on a small scale and moving ahead with it. You are enriching the lives of residents at the Mansion, and that is a big thing.
Kathy, thanks, that was my idea. To focus on one group of people that we could get to know…it is a big thing, and I am grateful to the many good people who joined in.