Ali and I are meeting at our “office” this morning at a convenience story table in the hamlet of Schaghitcoke, New York to plan the soccer team’s week – school is in recess until a week from today, and we want the week to be full and meaningful for them.

Today, I’m introducing the idea of the “Rocket Donation,” small donations ($5, $10, $25) that do a lot of good. Some people need substantial help, sometimes they just need a little help. Small acts of great kindness.

Ali has worked for years to keep these kids engaged in school and studies and community.

We have some good ideas for the week, and if you in the mood to do some real good this morning,  you can join in. This week should not be too expensive, and small donations would do the trick.

Lots of causes ask for lots of money, but sometimes, we don’t need lots of money.

This has been a landmark week for the soccer team, some have just graduated from Junior High School and all but one made the honor rolls in their schools. They deserve a good week. They are also on track to be undefeated in their soccer league so far.

Ali has done a remarkable job of taking traumatized and challenged children, and through the construct of the soccer team, helping them acclimate to their new surroundings and prosper. They love him, they love one another, they are navigating their lives well. Lots of other kids have not been so fortunate.

You can contribute to their off week via Paypal, [email protected] or by sending a check to the Gus Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Here’s what we are trying to do. I call these “rocket” donations, they are small and quick.

(Of course, larger donations are always welcome, they will be put to good use.) The idea behind this crowdsourcing work is that larger numbers of people can send small amounts and help. So far, so good.

This morning I’m going to be writing some checks. We hope to fill every day of the week for these kids. We are looking for things that don’t coast a lot of money.

We can’t afford to take the whole team on all these trips, we’re doing 10 at a time, everybody will get a chance to do something.

Today, soccer practice.

Tomorrow, a trip to the Minnie-Ha-Ha boat ride at Lake George, New York where the members of the team get a one hour boat ride around beautiful Lake George. That will cost about $16 a person ($160) in admission fees plus some lunch.

Wednesday, a trip to a state park with a swimming pool. Just $20 in fees, plus money for sandwiches.

Also that day, a visit to Bedlam Farm to see us and the dogs and donkeys, to visit the Mansion Assisted Care Facility. They want to serve lunch to the residents.

The team has also requested a visit with Ed Gulley, our friend the dairy farmer who is grappling with brain cancer.

The team visited Ed and Carol Gulley at their farm earlier in the summer, and they have read about him on the blog and want to see him again. That is nice. He is excited, they made quite a connection with one another.  I’ll take them to lunch at the Round House Cafe.

Thursday,  an outing at the movies – going to see Incredibles 2, in America today, that will cost about $250 plus popcorn (I think the whole team should go), perhaps the most expensive outing of the week.

Friday, I’m trying to arrange a trek to the Adirondack Animal Park in Gloversville, N.Y., they have a drive-through safari where  they can see more than 100 species of animals, mostly animals they have never seen. That will cost $160 in admissions plus lunch and drinks (another $100).

I’m also planning a future visit to the Ava Aquarium in Rotterdam, N.Y., sometime over the summer.

In addition, I am surprising Ali by helping him upgrade his disintegrating cell phone to a newer model.

That will cost about $300 and that is a personal gift for me, not from the refugee fund, I’m not asking for contributions. Several of the players came to me and said Ali never buys anything for himself, they hoped I would consider giving him a gift. They call him “Mr. Ali.”

Also today, the new “Albany Warriors” baseball caps are arriving here at the farm. I’ll bring them to Ali when I see him Thursday, we are meeting with an Afghan refugee whose legs were blown off in a roadside bomb. He was working for the United States, he needs a bit of help.

I will write checks until the money runs out. I believe I will have enough.

I am also meeting Lisa again, and to help her if necessary, and to see how she is doing, and with Sifa, who will be moving to a safer apartment this week with her family, thanks to the Army of Good.

So if any of you can stand to start the week with a bit of good, consider helping the boys (and girl) on the soccer team have a special week while off from school. I like the “Rocket Donation,” idea a way to feel good in a way that is hopefully comfortable. And thanks for all of the good that you do.

We are changing the lives of these children in a very visible way. The Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Or via Paypal, [email protected].