Such good news in a time of awful news. We have raised nearly $7,000 so Bishop Maginn High school students can celebrate the school’s last prom, something they want very much and deserve.

When I first asked for help raising $5,000 for Bishop Maginn High School’s final prom nearly two weeks ago, it was just before the reign of terror and murder unleashed on the innocent civilian population of Ukraine.

I didn’t want to take away from aid to Ukraine, nor fail to recognize these children, who are also important. So I laid low. Today reminded me that we could do both without harming one or the other.

It took the school a while to count the money; I admit I was getting anxious.

I spent the morning with the refugee and other students of Bishop Maginn as they painted sunflowers on their sidewalks and worked to raise money for Ukraine relief. They raised more than $200 in just a few hours. I’ll be posting photos of that shortly.

It was a burst of light to get this news while Maria and I were there today. The suffering in one part of the world doesn’t justify making other innocent people suffer in other parts of the world. These children have more than paid their dues in suffering.

I could see the pain in their eyes, not just for Ukraine, but for their own countries in Asia and Africa, where genocide, invasion, civil war, and murder destroyed their families and lives and killed so many of their friends.

They were eager to help the people of Ukraine today. Still, several of them asked me why the world – including America –  pays little attention to their countries and their families when so many were slaughtered, and they spent most of their young lives in refugee camps, those who survived and escaped in time. I told them I didn’t have an answer for them.

They are brave and forgiving but forever scarred; their youth cut short, their lives upended, their families shattered.

And they are unfortunate that Bishop Maginn is closing; it has been a haven and refuge for them beyond description. The refugee program is moving to another Catholic school and their much-loved and dedicated teacher, Sue Silverstein. The school needs to be celebrated, not mourned.

“I agree with you about the joy the prom will bring,” wrote  Rhoda Bush from Maryland this morning, she send $200 to support the prom. I think she got it right.

I will be there at the new school, so will Zinnia, who is much beloved there. The work continues.

The Ukraine tragedy made the prom more, not less important. Bishop Maginn is such a special place; much good has been done there.

These children deserve to know that people care about them, and the Army Of Good sent that message loud and clear. A great burst of joy ran through the school when they got the news. They will get the prom they wanted and hoped for.

Beyond their suffering, the prom will be the last chance for all these children to be together with the friends they’ve gone to school with. The school, a place of love and safety, deserves the prom also.

I wasn’t sure how the Army of Good felt about this until today, when the school counted the checks. They’ve received more than $6,000 so far, and I have received $500 or $600. I’ll be sending it to the school, and more donations are still arriving. (Donations sent to Bishop Maginn High School Prom Fund, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202 are tax-deductible. I think they have enough now. Donations to help these refugee children with their needs can come when sent to me via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz-13. Or by check to The Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.)

Any overage will go to the Refugee Fund. We are talking about music, food, and decorations. The prom will probably be held at the school for emotional reasons, but it will be the best prom it has ever hosted. I am so grateful for your support. I’ll keep you posted on the prom plans.

We have never failed, and you will see just how happy and grateful these ch ldren are for paying attention t  them. This is also an excellent day for me. Thank you.

Photos: Sue Silverstein and Alysha and Jasmine, who I profiled and who just got married.