Maria’s project for getting some quilts to the Afghan refugees coming to Albany is moving ahead. It is a big hit. She has her class, and the project has drawn interest, support, and media coverage from all over the country.

She and her class are rock stars. Many of the refugees are experiencing cold for the first time; they ask for quilts, comforters, and blankets. They all have blankets and comforters; the quilts will be a pleasant surprise.

Maria was given new and unused quilt tops and mixed them with her fabric. The students, many of them refugees themselves, are excited. Boys and girls have been asked to join the class, taught by Maria and Sue Silverstein.

“People did this for us when we came,” said Maya, a refugee from Myanmar, “and we wish to do the same.”

We have three sewing machines donated by the Army of Good, and more are coming. Maria thinks the quilts will be ready as soon as they master their devices.

She’s donated all of the new material and fabrics and volunteered to teach the students how to sew. She will be teaching another class next week.

Next Wednesday, Maria, Zinnia, and I will be going to Bishop Maginn to help the staff assemble the Thanksgiving baskets for the refugees.

The Toys Wish List for the Afghan children sold out last week, and the many boxes of toys are now arriving at the school and going straight to the free refugee store.

The store is also distributing gift certificates so they can buy a turkey or any other food and the traditional foods – cranberry sauce, mash potato mix, etc. – that go with conventional American Thanksgiving meals.

The free store is a large classroom on the first floor of Bishop Maginn. It has been thoroughly cleaned out four times. Refugees and social workers can come in and choose what they need.

If the refugees can’t come, the things they need will be delivered to them.

Every family will have the support it needs to be warm, to have enough food for a Thanksgiving feast; however they wish it, and books and toys for their families.

The store is also packed with jackets and clothes, and household items.

More than $1,000 books written explicitly for new refugees to America  and children will be arriving today and Monday (thanks, Army of Good) and placed in the free refugee store at Bishop Maginn or distributed to the refugee’s homes if they can’t yet travel.

We have all the books that will fit in the free store for now.

I’m not planning any other Wish Lists for this year unless some urgent new needs arise; I am told the refugees have nothing but the clothes on their backs. I’m sure they will have additional requirements.

I should say that several other groups are also supporting the new refugees; Bishop Maginn has taken the lead with its free store. This is the best side of Catholicism.

I’m happy to report that the Albany Diocese of the Catholic Church is waiving any tuition fees for Bishop Maginn High School. The school is expecting some new students from Afghanistan in January.

The school is widely known for its expertise and skill in educating inner-city and refugee children.

We have asked to be notified of any special needs – winter shoes and jackets, morning snacks, books, or backpacks for school. I’ll post any requests on the blog.

Thanks for your donations. If you wish to contribute, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected], Venmo, [email protected]. or by check, Jon Katz, Refugee Fund, P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Thank you for everything you have done. I’ll keep you posted, as always.