I’m eager to write about two things I saw today. The first is the Free Store we are creating in a classroom at Bishop Maginn, offering the truckloads of clothing and household good you have sent to the school.

The store is impressive; clothes and household items and backpacks and bedding are waiting to be organized. Things are flying out of the store so quickly, they haven’t had time to collect the items, so they’re doing it now.

Sixty Afghan refugees are not in Albany; I believe more are coming.

The store will be open to the Afghan Refugees arriving in Albany every day by the end of the week. Everything in it is free, and the store has already been wholly emptied four times.

The refugees will come to pick out the things they need or want, and social workers will bring items to those who can’t make it to the school. Donations are still coming.

The Catholic Diocese just announced that tuition fees to Bishop Maginn would be waived for any Afghan students who apply to begin school in January, the following semester. That is huge and welcome news to the refugees. The school is getting ready.

The Amazon Toy Wish List has been completed and will go live on Wednesday morning (tomorrow). I’d offer a sneak peek, but the school will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, and the school fears that items sent too soon might be returned. Items ordered tomorrow will arrive on Friday when the school is open.

(Above, the items for the Thanksgiving Basket)

Any items purchased then or later will go directly to the school and be received, stored, and then distributed. It includes 18 items – puzzles, dolls, crafts, and drawing kits designed to take some time and last. There are also two items for the Thanksgiving Baskets; both sold out on Amazon before we could buy them. We’ll try again.

The items are primarily multiples of three of four. The list is short and inexpensive. But it will make a massive difference to the Afghan refugee families and their children. These can also be Christmas presents for the children.

Arrangements have been made for gift certificates for turkeys or other food to be

On top of the list, I’m purchasing $400 worth of picture books carefully selected by the staff of Battenkill Books, the wonderful bookstore in my town. Connie Brooks has done this before with me; she’s great and knows what’s available.

The books will be shipped directly to Bishop Maginn High School and brought to the store or distributed to the refugee families coming in there.

Anyone who would like to help expand the list can donate to me, Jon Katz,  via Paypal, [email protected], or via Venmo, [email protected]. You can also send a check to Jon Katz, Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

You can also send pictures for all ages from grade school up through high school. Remember, many of the refugee children do not speak English, so the photo element is essential. Animal stories can be good learning tools for English.

Connie Brooks and I will select the books tomorrow on our end. If you wish to buy or send refugee books or picture books, mail them to Sue Silverstein, Refugee Books, Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202.

Sue and the Bishop Maginn staff will be scrambling over the next two days to set up racks and hangers for the free store, reappearing in its fifth incarnation. Maria and I are going in to help set up the Thanksgiving baskets.

Once again, I ask that used clothing and quilts not be sent at this time.

We don’t know the health status of the refugees, and it is essential we don’t make them sick or expose them to bacteria they are not used to. The request to hold off on used clothing does not come from the school or me; it comes from the state and the federal government.

Sue told me today that some people have sent quilts and clothing while acknowledging they aren’t supposed to but are sending them anyway. I don’t understand that.

Sue is way too friendly to say anything but thank you to people who want to help. Please don’t put these good and very busy people in the middle; I’m sure everybody will have a chance to send things to the school later on, when things settle down.

Thanks very much. Look for the Toy Christmas list around 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday. Thanks so much for your support.