I’ve had two requests for help this week, and I’m working on both of them. I could use some help.

First, Julia, the activities director of the Mansion, said they were desperate for new books for the residents to read. I used to bring books every Tuesday and read from them, but that stopped when the pandemic arrived.

I contacted Connie Brooks from Battenkill book sand two other used book stores in the area. I’ll be bringing a huge box of books to the Mansion this afternoon. They cost $101.87

The residents love animal books and nature books, and stories on the upper-middle school and high school level. If you have any used books in these categories that are in good condition – please don’t send any that are not – you can send them to the Mansion at 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Non-violent and appropriate graphic novels would work also.

If you prefer, you can send me a contribution and I will use the money to buy some more books and movie DVDs.

The residents have been in lockdown since March and need all the stimulation they can get. Contributions can come to me via Paypal, [email protected] or to Jon Katz, Mansion Books, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

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In addition, there are now three families in the Bishop Maginn community that are struggling with food insecurity.

These households are being run by grandmothers and relatives — I call them the Refugee Grandmas – who have stepped in to help refugees families with health and other problems.

They are amazing women. And they need help.

At least one family has lost a child in recent months.

To help them, I need gift cards from Price Chopper or Wal-Mart.

There are about 30 people involved in these families who need food support as their families look for work and lose their unemployment benefits.

The most efficient way to help them by far is to send food gift cards from Wal-Mart and Price Shopper, the two stores nearest to these families.

You can purchase the cards in any amount.

They need to be sent to me at this address: Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. In general, gift cards can’t be sent to post office addresses.

If people are uncomfortable purchasing items online, you can send me a donation, via Paypal, [email protected], or by check to Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge N.Y. 12816. I’ll buy them.

You can see and purchase the Price Chopper gift cards here.

You can see and purchase Wal-Mart gift cards here.

I am grateful we have been able to support the Mansion residents and the refugee families in the Bishop Maginn High School Community. Thanks.