Thank you to those who responded so quickly and generously to my request for some Mansion support on Friday. I was falling behind on the flood of requests; I always get nervous when the balance in the Mansion Fund gets low.
Today, UPS and FedEx loaded up our back porch with boxes, and I will begin distributing these items tomorrow and Monday.
In these boxes is twenty-five 500 piece puzzles for Peggie, the Mansion puzzle whiz. They were auctioned off on Amazon by Disney, wrapped and new: they had all been remaindered.
I also got seven Irish bus boy caps for the Mansion men who asked for them. I received shaving soap for Fred; his brushes are coming on Tuesday. His 24 inch TV will be arriving on Monday, and then everyone in the Mansion will have one.
I’m still waiting for more clothes and personal items for I-, who arrived at the Mansion with no clothes last week other than the ones she was wearing. Toiletries, deodorant, soap, and shampoo are coming; I already got some at the pharmacy.
And I got an electronic language translater for Sharon, who wants to speak to her Spanish friends and family members and learn to understand them better.
For those of you who missed the request, you can see it here.
It’s not too late – it’s never too late, I confess – to contribute to the Mansion Fund. We found a used TV for Fred, and I bought some Star Wars legos for a child of a Mansion aide who loves legos.
Your support made a huge difference and has already helped a lot of people.
I bought two sets of tablecloths of different vibrant colors and am sniffing around for book sand puzzles for Memory Care.
Yesterday, Maria and I went to Memory Care and created an autumn exhibit, smaller than the main one but just as colorful.
I’m working my way down the list and getting there.
People who missed the first appeal wish to donate and do so on Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, [email protected].
For people who don’t care to buy things online, and there is money, donations can also be mailed to my P.O. Box: Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
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On sending things. A number of you good people have asked if you send your used puzzles or clothes or books to the Mansion. I’m afraid the answer is no right now. Due to Covid regulations from the state, there is now a complex and strict protocol about used things coming into assisted care and nursing care facilities.
It has to be screened, sometimes quarantined. There has also been a problem with some people sending items that have not been cleaned, are damaged, or are not completely intact.
The Mansion staff is stretched to the breaking point right now and can’t handle any additional screening or cleaning. I also prefer to purchase personal items that are new and wrapped. I think the residents deserve that. Most of the reading the residents are doing is on the Ipads we got them; they are going digital, it’s easier on the eyes, and they can manipulate the type size.
Although damaged items are a rare occurrence, it happens often enough to be a problem. We can handle all of this when Covid is handled, but not right now. I do very much appreciate the thought.