You, good people, have done so much good this year, I can no longer really keep track of it in my head. Sue Silverstein sent me these photos from Bishop Maginn High School this afternoon, and I asked her what they were.

She said these were the first of the photos her art class is taking. She said the class is offline since they are not allowed to share materials, according to state health pandemic regulations.

Wow, what kind of cameras I asked? You should know, she said. “You and the Army Of Good bought them. The kids in the art class each have a camera to use since they can’t share equipment. You bought 13 of them.”

Nia, an art class senior took this photo, Sue asked them to think about reflections.

As soon as Sue mentioned the cameras, I remembered them right away. They are Aberg Best cameras for $40 and they are working beautifully, Sue said.

Nia’s photo was taken of an Albany city road right after the rain, the red stoplight is reflected on the asphalt road. Sue said the camera has brought out a real photographer in her.

It is such a gift to be able to help a child in this way and light the creative spark which is in all of us.  This is a student who could not have gotten a digital camera with you.

It’s a strange time, Sue can’t even give her students their morning snacks or cookies, according to the state.

One of her students came up to her this week and said “Mrs. Silverstein, you’d give us a snack and a cookie if you could, wouldn’t you?

“She nearly cried.

“You be I would,” she said, “when there is a vaccine, there will be cookies all over the place.”

I admit it is hard on me to not be able to go into the Mansion or Bishop Maginn, but I will always be looking for ways to help, with your support. And Sue lets me know when someone needs help.

Zinnia  will be going to the school without me once I have my procedure out of the way.

If you wish to contribute to this refugee work, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

And thanks for helping me buy the camera.