Risse teachers are building a new Wish List that will hopefully result in a new Library/Reading Lounge, the current library has bare wells and, thanks to the Army Of Good, two colorful bean chairs (more on the way.)

Over the weekend, people have purchased some colorful floor lams and 3 out of the 10 Oxford Picture Dictionaries needed for the new library. I know some people in the AOG have also purchased posters and send them along. (They do not need books.)

The $500 outdoor trash can, a worthy but expensive item, is probably going to take awhile.

The Library project, a long-held dream of the RISSE teachers, is a beautiful thing to see come together, I’ll be at RISSE next week recording some of the wonderful gifts all of you have sent. Kids are already sitting in the bean chairs and reading, the Library will offer a quiet lounge for reading and studying. This will be the first library at the school.

The floor lamps will help greatly, the room is dark, the walls bare.

Tomorrow, I’m meeting Ali and the RISSE soccer team at the Powell House, the Quaker Youth Retreat in Old Chatham, N.Y. We’re going tomorrow to meet the staff and give the children a chance to see the Powell House before their May retreat there.

Ali asked if Red can come, he is the soccer team mascot and the team thinks he’s a symbol of luck and safety. That seems right to me. I’ll bring him, he is a certified therapy dog, I expect he will be welcome.

I’m glad the refugee kids will get a chance to look at the center and meet the counselors who will be working with them. The Quakers have been helping refugees and immigrants for many years, they are committed and experienced.

Photos to come.

Thanks for your support of this project, it is very much appreciated, this will be a great gift to these young people as they struggle to acclimate to America.