Today, I brought a fuzzy bathrobe that was sent by Betty Wagner of Baltimore to one of the Mansion residents, she burst into tears at the thought of having a beautifully soft and warm bathrobe to wear after taking her showers in the winter.

She hugged me and kissed me in gratitude.

I wish you could have seen it, Betty. And everyone else, too.

***

It’s strange, but this is the first time in three years that the Mansion/Refugee fund has dropped below $200, and it needs some replenishment.

In a couple of days, I’ll have to halt the clothing fund and the other expenditures I use to help the Mansion residents and the personal needs of some of the Bishop Maginn students.

From my perspective, this fund-raising for the Army of Good is always a bit of a mystery, since I knew very few of the people who have been contributing to our good works, and I know nothing of their circumstances.

For some reason, the flow of contributions has dropped sharply in the past couple of weeks, stopping completely in the last week. I can’t say I know why and I can’t know from where I sit.

I don’t want to pester or pressure anyone into contributing, I know money is a hard issue for many people. And I always balk at asking for it. No one should contribute money they can’t afford or don’t have.

The fund usually has approximately $500 to $700 in it, I don’t like to keep your money sitting around, I put it to good use right away.

I know the fund has gotten low before, this seems a little harder. I am confident I’ll get some support. It must be strange on the other end also, since we all function independently of one another, yet for the same good cause.

I’ve spent several hundred dollars on winter clothes for the Mansion residents and on some family support for the Mansion aides, who are paid little and work hard.

One young son of one of the aides is ill right now, I’m getting him some legos. I’m trying to save money up for some shoes and sweaters for the Bishop Maginn kids when it gets cold.

I try to find some nice and inexpensive clothes for the aides when I find them. Health care aides generally make less than fast-food franchise workers.

I bought inexpensive dining room chairs for one aide whose family had to eat sitting on the floor because she had no money for chairs. That cost $120. I am very conscious of money,  I don’t look for expensive items and comparison shop whenever I can.

The clothing campaign has gone beautifully, I’m using thrift shops and consignment stores. I’m never at ease fund-raising, but we have done so much good for so many people. So I could use some help in re-starting the flow. This year, everyone at the Mansion will have the clothes they need, and I hope to do the same for the students at Bishop Maginn.

I’d hate to have to stop completely, although I will certainly respect what all of you wish to do. It seems to me that this work has never been more important. We have transformed life in the Mansion and also at Bishop Maginn High School.

We have brought a great deal of comfort, support, and connection to the Mansion residents, few of them have the resources they need at the very edge of life.

If you wish to support the Mansion/ Refugee Fund, you can do so by sending a contribution to me, Jon Katz, via Paypal,  [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I expect to run out of money in a day or so.

I’m not a Christian or even much of a God worshipper, but I am an admirer of the life and philosophy of Jesus Christ, who defined his mission as bringing joy and hope to the needy and the vulnerable.  To him, that was Godliness.

There is no mention of him ever being dour or hopeless, or complaining about his life,  he seems to have spread hope and inspiration everywhere he went.

I never compare myself to him, secretly or openly, but I hope to do the same thing with the support of the Army Of Good. The refugees we are helping are now having to suffer the second kind of persecution – no government support, much hostility, and suspicion.

To me, helping them is a sacred human and patriotic duty.

I feel we are needed now more than ever. This is a wonderful and meaningful adventure we are on, and I will stick with it to the end. And I am grateful for your trust and support. It’s nothing but a miracle to me.