The past couple of years have taught me never to take my country and its values for granted again, I see how much I love America and I have found a way to show that love that makes me finally feel patriotic and responsible.
I buy something from the RISSE Amazon Wish List. RISSE is a non-profit refugee and immigrant aid organization based in Albany, N.Y., I worked closely with them for more than a year and a half, especially with the soccer team that was loosely affiliated with them.
The Wish List – just 10 items left – not only helps scores of refugee kids in the after-school program (toys, mats, supplies), it directly helps the soccer team we supported so enthusiastically.
They are now a part of RISSE, they need warm clothes for the cold weather and other supplies. Those are on the list.
I am working independently now, but I will not forget the wonderful refugee and immigrant children and their parents who depend on RISSE for so many things.
I proposed an Amazon Wish List, and RISSE has responded. The list is in itself a powerful testament to the varied needs of the people who have always loved our country and enriched it in so many ways, many of them forgotten.
It was active for some months, then went silent, but is back in operation with a new and important list of urgent needs. There are now 10 items on the list, down from 36 two weeks ago. The Army Of Good is on the march.
These items range from thermal soccer clothes to dictionaries to computer paper and a yoga mat. Take a look and see if you can help, I see this as a patriotic duty.
The refugees need our help now, and desperately. They are being vilified by opportunistic politicians and selfish people who have forgotten our roots. Our government has abandoned them and cut their subsidies.
These are not people who cross into our country illegally, every one that I have met have entered legally and are working hard to become productive citizens.
They are brave and honest people, there are no criminals among them, they have suffered enough. RISSE is desperately important to them. The soccer team can use some help as well.
Their needs are enormous, they need everything, and it is often difficult to help them, even as government support and subsidies have almost completely been eliminated.
The RISSE Amazon Wish List is a simple, inexpensive and very important way to love our country and help this people, by-passing bureaucrats and administrators and Boards Of Directors.
You see what you are buying, and you decide how much you can contribute. The list is full of small acts of great kindness. Thanks for considering it and supporting it.
In just half a year, Sakler Moo looks more confident. You have, indeed, changed his life for the good and forever. I’m so proud of you and thankful for all you do. I think your idea about changing your focus to the younger generation, as well as more permanent, ongoing help, is a wise one. I will still make my smaller bits of help with the Wish List and the Mansion. Those people just warm my heart. The woman who broke her hip and went to rehab–I regret that I can’t remember her name–is she returning to the Mansion? I know you won’t report deaths and other health news. But I just want to know if that sweet soul can stop packing to go home.
Susie
Susie, thanks,I just wrote about Joan on my blog tonight, she will not be returning to the Mansion. She is alive and recovering from her injury. Thanks for the good words, I think the new focus makes sense. I could never raise enough money to really change the lives of the refugee, but I can help some of the kids in a lasting way. Ali did much more for Sakler than I did, but I was happy to help him with his tuition. Thank you for your great big heart and Happy New Year to you.