I’m writing to the Army Of Good – and any other samaritans out there because Spring is coming up, and there are a number of things that could use some support from those who can or wish to help.

In the Spring,  many of the Mansion residents will need some light clothes, shoes, socks and sweaters. I have a network of Thrift shops I will use, and know the best and cheapest Amazon sites if I need to go online.

I’d also like to fund a boat ride on Lake George in May or June, some music for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and a horse and wagon ride in the country. The residents are coming to the farm several times in the Spring, and I want to get them some sandwiches.

I’d also like to get some new art tools and supplies, our art program has been a stunning success. And I’d like to build up the library of big photo books. They are a huge hit there.

Beyond that, and as you know, I am working to get full scholarships for gifted refugee children from some of the best private schools in the area. The first of these, Eh K Pru from Myanmar, has applied to the Albany Academy and we should know soon if she wants to go and if she will be accepted.

I’ve just forwarded $4,000 in contributions from the Army Of Good for Sakler Moo’s tuition for 2019, and am also raising money to pay his lunch fee at the school – $375. The school will deal with his tuition from here on. Thanks so much for your support.

I have not been granted access to Sakler to talk to him or take photos, so all I can say is I  gather he is going very well at the school.

Last year, there were some additional pledges for Sakler, if they come in, I will forward them to the school.

If Eh K Pru is accepted, the school will offer her a generous scholarship, but there may be some shortfall or other issues of supplies,  etc. that she might need some help with.

I just don’t know yet. I do intend to meet with at least two other private schools who have shown an interest in this new initiative I’m pushing – one or two full scholarships a year for gifted refugee students.

Two or three lives changed, every year, and for good.

So I could  use some support from the Army Of Good to launch my Spring initiatives for the Mansion residents and the refugee children. The Mansion/refugee fund is low, and will run out soon.

If you wish, you can donate via Paypal, [email protected] (please mark the contribution Mansion/refugee), or if you prefer to contribute by check in any amount, you can send your donation to Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

And thanks, I’ve stayed away from fund-raising as much as I could in recent weeks, but the needs are great, and they don’t go away. It is better to do good than argue about doing good.