I got this Facebook message from Kelly Patrick Wednesday night after I told her the Army Of Good had very quickly and enthusiastically send enough money for her to rent the trailer she needs to get out of that tent, and then some.

“Omg I can’t believe this has happened for me ,I’m so happy..” And relieved. Kelly and her daughter and seven-year-old grandson are emotionally and physically spent from weeks of living in a tent in Salem, N.Y.

Kelly is an experienced and much-loved certified nurse’s aide at the Mansion Assisted Care Facility in Cambridge, N.Y.

She loves the Mansion and the residents and she loves her work.She makes less than a cashier at McDonald’s, like most professional health care aides, and she has three mouths to feed. The bills added up. The Mansion would be happy to pay her and all of their staff more, but Medicaid facilities for the aging need help themselves.

I don’t have a final tally since the mailed contributions have not arrived her yet, this is the country. The Paypal contributions ([email protected]) for Kelly passed $2,000 some time Tuesday evening. Kelly initially asked for $1,600.

I want to update all of you good people about what happens now.

Kelly has asked me to hold the money until all of the details of her move are finalized, and we can pay the landlord directly, which will be  sometime in  the next few weeks.

She is, like me, eager for you to see where your money is going. I’ll be taking photos fo the trailer.

All checks mailed to my post office box this week – P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y. from Monday to Thursday will go towards helping Kelly buy the things she needs for the trailer – a microwave, an air conditioning unit, some kitchen items, unless marked otherwise – the refugees, the Mansion.

Kelly is making up a list for me of all the things she thinks she will need. We’re going to meet this afternoon. I’ll keep providing updates on Kelly’s journal from her tent to a double-wide trailer, and I’ll share the list.

Some of you have messaged me and offered some household appliances and items for Kelly.

I don’t know how much help she wants or precisely what for, at least not yet.  If you wish to contact her directly, you can do so by mail: Kelly Patrick, The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Those conversations ought best be  between you and her. My preference is to buy electronics and appliances new and with guarantees and warranties.

For anything else, feel free to ask her.

You all made it possible, and any additional contributions to Kelly will be used to help her get settled and more secure. She very much grasps the opportunity this is for her to make herself and her family safe.

Some of the unsung heroes here are the staff and of the Mansion, who have been trying to help Kelly for some time now. Kelly refused all offers of help, she  has great pride and has never rreally known how to ask for help.

I think we all know people like that – lots of pride. Now, Kelly thinks she is dreaming, it seems like a fairy tale to her. Only I am no handsome prince, and she will never meet most of you. I’ll invite her to the Open House in October at Bedlam Farm.

Several of Kelly’s colleagues pestered me for weeks to try to help her, even  after Kelly told me she didn’t want help from me or anyone. We all kept on it, and it took a few raging storms to force Kelly out of her  stubborn stance.

They were very worried about her. So was I.

When I see how happy and relieved she is now, I realize what a good thing it was for her to seek help, and what a good thing it is that so many of you offered it so quickly and generously.

So stay tuned for Kelly updates. We have enough money for Kelly to get out of the tent. And more. It will all go where it is supposed to go.

Thanks so much.