I’m happy to report that the brand new Amazon Wish List is up, and half of the more than 40 items requested last night are already gone. I told Mansion Director Morgan Jones to prepare for some packages arriving shortly, the mention of the Army Of Good provokes gratitude and a bit of dread, because when it starts to march, things happen and packages arrive.

They see your power on every holiday and in the stream of letters, photos and messages that come pouring in.

At RISSE, the staff has learned this lesson, there is a huge pile of boxes there waiting to be opened and unwrapped, more coming every day. Refugee children in the after school program are drawing, painting, doing puzzles,  learning math and English, learning how to use digital camera, making bracelets and necklaces, coloring and drawing.

I believe the Mansion Wish List will work as well, it is a simple, efficient and inexpensive way to do good, stay grounded and change lives. Julie Harlin, the Mansion Activities Director and the keeper of the list, is focusing on recreational and mental activities to keep the residents active and engaged.

I am focusing on outings, and more personal support – for reading, memory care, clothes, outings, shoes, slippers. As many of you know, I’ve become particularly interested in memory care and some forms of dementia. We bought Diane a “realistic” baby doll, she is anatomically correct and life-like. This has transformed Diane’s life, grounding her and giving her work and love and meaning.

I am not working with Wayne in the same vein, he asked to talk with me about getting him a stuffed dog he could care for.

Wayne is not as restless as Diane was, but he is also bright and curious and looking for an activity to focus on. This is the way in which I have chosen to support the residents, by filling the holes in their lives, providing them with the small things that can make a huge difference.

Diane was making herself crazy looking for a focus for her life, her baby Sue seems to be it, she is calm and relaxed. And very happy.

I will be working and visiting with Wayne this week to see if his stuffed dog affects his daily routine and state of mind. It is not a complex thing to provide dolls and stuffed animals to the residents in need of them, or to work with them on “memory sweeps” – my term –  and special reading material.

I’m also funding special lunches, boat rides and  excursions to animal parks.

I co-ordinate my work closely with the Mansion Staff, everything I purchase or bring has been approved by a staffer. We work closely and productively with each other, the openness and empathy of the Mansion owners and staff has made my work possible. Today I’m attending a workshop on memory care in the Mansion dining room.

I am learning more and more about this painful disease every day and increasingly, the residents come to me when they are in need.

If you wish to check out the new Mansion Wish List, You Can Do It Here.

You can see the RISSE Amazon Wish List here. Items there start for as little as $1.67.

If you wish to support my work,  you contribute to the Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz. P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark your contribution “Mansion” or “Refugees.” Thanks.

It is so much better to do good than to argue about what good is.