Friends, the Wish List is sold out. Thank you.
Every time I put up a Wish List, the good people of the Army of Good protest that they never got a chance to participate, the items seem to go so quickly. I listened, and Sunday night I put up a sneak preview of the Bishop Maginn Amazon Thanksgiving Basket Wish List. They weren’t kidding.
There were 24 items on the list when I put it up, there are seven now and two of these have used up available supplies.
Never underestimate the commitment of this extraordinary group of people who call themselves the Army Of Good. A powerful army it is. They never fail to come through for the needy and the vulnerable. They are our true patriots.
The official launch date of the Wish List was Wednesday, but I honestly couldn’t wait. With all of the shipping issues, I thought we ought to get started. You all called my bluff and bout two-thirds of the list.
There is still a good chunk left, it’s not too late, and I admit the perverse part of me would love to see the whole list sell out BEFORE the launch date. That would be a first for us.
On the wish list, you get to choose the item you want to contribute and how much you wish to spend. You can buy one item, which is great, or more if you wish. Some of the items are multiples.
(I bought $379 worth of items on the list this morning with the money donated to me for this purpose via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, [email protected]. Or by mail, Jon, Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. This option is for many people who don’t wish to shop online.
Thanks, and thanks, when I get a donation, I go straight to the list and help to winnow it down. It is an incredibly uplifting thing to do.)
Our Thanksgiving program is not only for the existing refugees but for the Afghan refugees who are beginning to arrive. Bishop Maginn High School, as always has rushed into the breach. The Wish List packages are all going straight to the school ( the address is Bishop Maginn High School, c/o Sue Silverstein, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202.
The Wish List default shipping address is Bishop Maginn, it should be already set.
I expect to meet with some of the Afghan refugees – adults and children – sometime in the coming week. Some of the Afghan children will be heading for Bishop Maginn, it is the right place for them.
We are also seeking gift certificates from major businesses in the area so the refugees can have a choice: gift certificates, Thanksgiving Baskets, or both. There is a long waiting list for the baskets. This Wish List is one of our most significant, it comes at the very moment the need skyrockets. The refugees from other countries have been celebrating Thanksgiving for several years at least.
Grocery prices are soaring, this can be a great help for them, and a way to have their own Thanksgiving celebration.
Again, if you are uncomfortable shopping online, you can send a donation to me via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, [email protected], or by check Jon Katz, Refugee Fund P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
Thanks so much. The new refugees have heard about Thanksgiving, they had to learn about our holidays before getting their visas. The idea of thanks is especially relevant to them now, and I am proud to be part of a group of people that wishes to greet these new citizens with a true glimpse into the generous and merciful heart of America.
There is something new about this wish list, because of the pandemic and all of the shipping issues that have arisen because of the pandemic, time does matter. The best way to get these things into the right hands is to get them there quickly.
You can see the list and purchase any items here.