I went to RISSE in Albany today to take some photos of the games and gifts and educational materials pouring into the RISSE after school program thanks to the Army Of Good and their new Amazon Wist List. We have plowed through it several times over and Cassidy, who is on the RISSE staff is working hard to keep updating it.

I think she will be working hard to keep up with us (and happily.)

A new list of needs went up this morning. You can see it here.

I hope the photos convey what I see – a bustling, crowded, engaged and dedicated school and staff with more than 200 students and very few resources.

The lighting is spotty, the walls are bare, the games and chairs are few. There are very few funds for basic supplies.

We are transforming the school, the teachers are so excited they very much wanted me to come in so I could see the great transformation underway.

This one will take a while, they need just about everything and the few subsidies and grants they had are being slashed and eliminated day by day by the federal government. They lost more than $70,000 in tuition subsidies, and they will not turn any of the refugee and immigrant children away.

I try to send them something every morning, it makes for a very happy day.

The games, lamps, chairs, educational toys and other supplies you are sending going straight to the children, and they are loving them and using them.

The new Wish List went up just before I arrived.

When I asked Cassidy what is most urgently needed she smiled and said “paper towels.” And bean chairs. The RISSE library had no chairs at all until we sent them two bean chairs (photo to come), and they are seeking at least two more. I’m going to send them one chair and some paper towels tonight.

It feels good to do good.

RISSE was created by the Emmaus Methodist Church. They have their own struggles with money.

I told the teachers I would pass on the requests for paper towels – they are on the updated Wish List  – I hope they have some room for storage, they are just beginning to figure out who they are dealing with. The truth is, this essential but tragically underfunded school needs just about everything.

They need trash bags, Mr. Clean, crayons. There are a lot of kids, and they all love to work. I loved the smiles and energy and love and kindness I found in that school today. The school is so desperately needed.

They pleaded with me to thank you for the help you are providing them, and I said I will.

I am especially proud to be associated with the Army Of Good, walking through the classroom today, seeing the happy, busy,  teachers and kids – they are getting paint kits, puzzles, crayon and paper – had me speechless.

We are transforming this school. Their needs are great, we can’t do everything, but we can do quite a lot.

Please check out the wish list. And thank you.