I am happy to report that this time, I bought the last item on the new-new-new-new-new-new RISSE Amazon Wish List this morning, a some labels for $7.95.
We are giving RISSE a good run for their money, putting on a great show of compassion and commitment and empathy.
It becomes more and more apparent each day that the refugees and immigrants who have come to America or hope to come will be facing greater and greater obstacles, indifference and cruelty over the next months and years.
Most of us understand the refugee and immigrant experience, and feel close to it. I am committed to staying with this work, we are needed as never before. I don’t argue my beliefs here, but it is my wish to keep this flame, the American Dream, burning, even if many of our fellow citizens have forgotten what it means.
The RISSE Amazon Wish List is a wonderful way for RISSE to tell us what they need and for us to contribute when and if we can. It is my idea of a long haul, low cost way of letting our new brothers and sisters know they are loved and welcome here by so many people.
I think this will be a long haul, and it looks like many of you in the Army Of Good are making a long and great commitment. I thank you. The RISSE staffers are tired but exhilarated, they say they have never experienced such generosity and support before, and they are deeply grateful. The children are dazzled, they have new games to play, new ways of learning their math and languages, places to sit in the iibrary.
Every thing you send will be put to great use, and immediately, and slowly, the RISSE school is filling up with laughter and color and joy. RISSE hosts after school classes for 200 children and 1,000 adults. They are the only place these families can go to get the help they need.
As soon as it stops storming, I’ll go back to RISSE and take more photos so you can see what you have done. Thanks. I’m sure the wish list will be re-populated shortly. You can follow it here. This is the sixth time in a week that the list has sold out.
We are making some history here, they will be talking about the Army Of Good for a long time.
In the meaning, I could use some help with my end of the refugee work, the boy’s soccer team, the new girl’s basketball team (we have acquired uniforms for them), the Powell House Youth Retreat, the Session 3 Indoor Soccer Tournament, and hopefully, some outdoor programs for the summer.
If you can, please donate c/o Jon Katz. Post Office box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 129816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark checks or payments “refugees” or “Mansion,” and thanks. Your money – every penny – will go precisely where it is supposed to go.
You can keep an eye on the wish list here.