(Kathy Sosa, teacher, Eh K Pru Shee Wah, student, the Hackett School)

In the nearly four years that we have been working together (wow!), the Army of Good has never once failed to support a request or project that I have asked their help in carrying out.

We have helped hundreds of refugee children and their school and library, we have helped dozens of families pay their rent, get groceries and clothes, pay for rent deposits, move to safer places.

We’ve helped more than 100 people in elderly care be cool in the heat, warm in the winter, buy shoes that fit, underwear without holes, pants without tears or stains, new jackets, socks, shirts and hats.

We’ve bought stamps, envelopes, DVD’s, reclining chairs, window air conditioners, wide screen TV’s, games, winter jackets,  warm sneakers, blankets, puzzles, stuffed animals, realistic dolls.

Honestly, I couldn’t list all of the things we  have accomplished.

And today, sweet news on two fronts. The Hackett Middle School administration has approved Kathy Sosa’s eighth grade feel trip to the FDR Home and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y. on June 10.

You, the Army Of Good, made this possible.

The 30 student class has never been able to go on a field trip because the students – all refugees and immigrants – could not pay the $60 fee for the trips, and the school had no money to pay for them.

Because no school busses were available, and Kathy Sosa, their teacher would have to charter a private bus, the cost was $1,100. There was no way she could raise that money.

Kathy turned to me for help, an I turned to you for help, and I had the money within a few days, plus at least $200 more to pay for ice cream, donuts and maybe even some souvenir postcards.

I am just thrilled. When the checks arrive this week, I’ll send it off to the school, and I plan to be there on June 10 to take a photo of the class, if permitted. I believe strongly you all have the right to see what you support and where your money goes.

I’ve talked with Kathy about our focusing on her class the way we did the soccer team – helping with clothes, some trips, perhaps tablets and smartphones.

Kathy and I have a very good and professional working relationship. She has about a dozen jobs – it is outrageous how little teachers earn – but she is devoted to her students, she was instrumental in helping to get Eh K Pru Shee Wah into the Albany Academy last month.

Kathy says thank, you, thank you, thank you. So do I.

More good news. I’ve made contact with Mike Tolan of the Bishop Maginn High School in downtown Albany, N.Y., and the school is interested in recruiting gifted refugee children into the school.

They are eager to see applications from Kathy’s gifted refugee students, they have been deeply involved in helping minority and refugee children get as good an education as possible.

They are eager to meet with me to talk about admitting these students on full scholarships with financial aid if necessary.

So this program is taking shape. I’m going to meet with officials at the Emma Willard school as well.

I’m going to be working with Kathy’s class in the public schools, trying to get one or two refugee children a year into good private schools if they need more academic attention, and of course, continuing my work at the Mansion.

I don’t ever take this support for granted. We have assembled an army of love and compassion, a light unto the world in sometimes dark times.