This morning, a postcard arrived from Linda in Falls Church, Va. There was a short and simple message, which I deeply appreciated. “This is a card telling you that I appreciate you and all that you do. Your decision to move to action instead of political commiseration was an inspiring example.”
How nice for her to go to the trouble of writing me that note, Linda succinctly and perfectly described what I chose to do in November of 2016, and it was to change my life in positive and wonderful ways.
As I was reading Linda’s postcard, a package arrived in the mail, it was from Amazon, and it contained a pair of sandals that I bought for Joan at the Mansion.
They cost $17.49. They came about after an aide at the Mansion came up to me and said Joan needed sandals for the summer, she mostly walked around in socks and sneakers.
It has taken awhile for people to come up to me at the Mansion and let me know what people need, and I am grateful for it. A pair of sandals is not, on the surface, a big deal, but it is a big deal, for me and for Joan.
My idea was, as Linda said, to move to action rather than arguing and lament, I just did not want to spend the next four years or any significant part of my life arguing with people or wringing my hands about the state of the world.
At the time, I never imagined how many people – we call them the Army Of Good now – felt the same way.
My idea was to focus on the refugees and immigrants coming into Albany and New York State, on the refugee children that make up a struggling soccer team, and on the residents of the Mansion, a Medicaid Assisted Care Facility in Cambridge N.Y.
Since then, we have raised tens of thousands of dollars to help people, to do good, to uplift and support.
Focusing on this groups, photographically and in words and ideas, enabled people to get to know them. I never raise money for institutions, but for people. I never help anyone who won’t be photographed, because I want the people who send money to know exactly where it is going.
The sandals are a perfect symbol of the evolution of this work. A small act of great kindness. They will make an enormous difference in Joan’s life. Today, two computer games arrived for Peggie, and tomorrow, two brightly colored shirts will arrive for Wayne. Small acts of great kindness. All of the will make a difference in the lives of people.
A few days ago, I was able to bring Tim a used Canon Powershot camera. I thought he was getting his l leg amputated in September, but his leg worsened, and he is having the surgery today. He is not coming back to the Mansion for several months, if at all. I am thinking of him today and wishing him well.
He is a sweet and honest and brave man, I am glad he got his camera in time. I am so lucky to be doing this work, and so grateful for the support so many of you have given me, as we move to action instead of hatred and argument.
Friday, Kelly Patrick is moving out of her tend and into her double-wide trailer. I’ll be there to take a photos.
If you wish to contribute to this work, you can send a contribution to The Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected].
We fill the holes in people’s life, $17.49 is not a lot of money, but it brings a lot of comfort.
And thanks for the postcard Linda. It lifted me right up.