Mansion Activities Director Julie Smith had a great idea for a new activity for the residents that directly involves the Army Of Good, who live in every part of America and much of the Western World.

And it’s free.

“I just had a thought,” she wrote, “it would be great fun for the residents if you asked people from the blog to send a little note with information about the town or area they live in. I thought I would start a new activity where we would add their town on a map of the United States and talk about it.”

I posted this yesterday and Julie immediately got a bunch of e-mails with short descriptions of different towns and some local photo. Julie’s e-mail is [email protected]. She is forever looking for new and interesting activities for the residents.

You can e-mail her a short description of your town and send a photo of  you wish (optional) or mail you comments – two or three paragraphs —   to the Mansion if you prefer, c/o Julie, The Town Project, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

I love this project. For one thing, it is free. For another, it is simple. And I can picture the wonderful map Julie plans make out of your messages and photos. This could be a living and continuous project that connects people of good heart with people of great need.

This kind of project is more important than it might seem.

The residents often tell me they feel abandoned and forgotten – no longer true, thanks to the Army Of Good, and they love being noticed and spoken to and remembered. They are also intensely curious about the outside world.

Many of the residents grew up in rural upstate New York and have little experience with the world beyond.

They are fascinated by your letters and messages, so if you can take a minute or so to write a few paragraphs about your town and e-mail or mail it to Julie, that would make a big difference and do a lot of good.

The residents also love our Pen Pal program, some can’t respond to your letters, but everyone I talk to loves getting them. They answer when they can.

If you wish to write to the Mansion residents,  here is a current list of residents who wish to receive your messages. You can send them to The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

I can’t give out full names, nor am I permitted to update you on their medical or emotional conditions unless they give me specific permission and I clear it with the staff.

Here they are: Winnie, Ellen, Matt, Gary, Gerry, Sylvie, Diane, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Joan, Allan, Bill, Blanche, Helen, Alanna, Peggie, Dottie, Tim, Art, Jackie, Brenda, Wayne, Kenneth, Ruth.

And thanks.