So here’s the scoop: I go into the hospital tomorrow for some more heart surgery, and several people have very kindly asked me if I wanted to receive cards, or flowers, or good wishes.

I appreciate these thoughts, but what I’d really love to get are gift cards for the refugee families

This catheterization is more complex than most, so I’ll be getting it done at the Albany Medical Center, which has cardiac surgeons on hand if necessary. Maria can visit with me at least some of the time.

As it happens, the refugee families we are helping in the Bishop Maginn High School community have lost or are losing their unemployment benefits (few of them ever got any stimulus money) and so food issues are beginning to crop up and some of the families are asking for help.

Because of state health regulations during the pandemic, the teachers are not permitted to give the children healthy and warm snacks some of them needed as a first and only meal in the morning and were getting daily last year.

This is breaking Sue Silverstein’s heart, but I explained to her if we get gift cards the families, that will work just as well.

Nobody needs to feel the slightest pressure to send me anything because I’m having a heart procedure. It’s no one’s problem but mine.

But rather than flowers or cards or good wishes, what would make me the happiest and comfort me the most would be Price Chopper and Wal-Mart gift cards so we could be prepared to distribute them to these families as the need arises.

What a tough year for everyone, but especially chilling to these families, who live on a thread and no longer get any meaningful federal assistance.

Some families are in better shape, the parents have returned to their jobs or found new ones But the cutting off of unemployment and other benefits is starting to hurt.

Once again, I hope no one feels any pressure to send me anything, but if people want to do it, this is a way to do some real good and send me good feelings at the same time.

If you wish, you can buy Price Chopper or Wal-Mart gift cards in any amount. They need to be sent to me, Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or to Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y, 12816.

If you prefer, you can send a donation to me via Paypal, [email protected], or by check at either of the above addresses.

You can see and purchase Price Chopper Gift Cards here or Wal-Mart gift cards here. Thanks so much for thinking of me, I’ll be in the hospital for a day or two. The idea of these gift cards will lift me up for sure