Search Results for: Madeline

When I went to the Mansion this morning, I brought some buttons for the aides. They loved the buttons, so much so that I got another idea to polish off Mansion Aide Appreciation Month.

So far, we’ve taken photos of most, if not quite all, of the Mansion aides, we’ve given everyone a a $50 Amazon Gift Card, brought sweet Round House Cafe Holiday Cookies to the main office (and some buttons) for the past few weeks.

I’d like to add one more thing to these appreciations, I left the Mansion and went right over to see Heather at the Over The Moon socks, beads and “cool stuff” shop right next to Battenkill Books.

Heather’s ads are right, the shop is full of cool stuff, and so Heather and I hatched this plan. We picked out three or four things we think the aides might like (I can’t say what they are yet, as some of the aides might see the blog) and Heather will prepare 14 kits, 13 for the aides, one for Kasse, the acting Mansion director.

It is privilege to try to give some recognition – and some material gifts as well – to these amazing young women. While I was at Over the Moon, I got a pair of those red socks for Maria.

Heather will get back to me next week. I’m excited about this.

She doesn’t like to get presents, so I stuffed the socks in the bag of Minnestrone soup I brought home for lunch from the Round House Cafe.

She didn’t squawk this time, she loved the red colors above Heather’s right shoulder and head. Maria has trouble with Christmas, she doesn’t like to get presents, so this year I promised not to give her any presidents on Christmas. I can get away with getting a few before hand.

(Heather sells those socks all over the place, if you are interested. Maria loves them.)

I also distributed some cash to the Mansion residents so they could buy presents for one another and some of the aides. So far, most of the residents want me to pick up some gift cards at the bookstore or at a local convenience store.

They are thrilled to be able to give as well as  receive.

Several people have asked for an updated resident list.

I got one today, but I warn you that the list changes frequently, almost daily, and I am not allowed to explain the changes – some may involved medical issues, or trips to a nursing home or other facility.

Here is an updated list of the residents who wish to  receive  your letters as of today. This list is solid right now:

Winnie, Ellen, Matt, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Diane, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Joan, Allan, Bill, Blanche, Helen, Alanna, Peggie, Dottie, Tim, Jackie, Guerda, Brenda, Wayne, Ruth.

If you wish you can also send cards to Julie Harlin, the activity director, and she will distribute them. The address is the Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks for doing this.

Today marked the official launch of the Karaoke Mansion project the longest and most technical project I have yet undertaken there.

It wasn’t that expensive, but it took a couple of months to research Karaoke, find the right machine for the Mansion residents, make sure it passed all of the stringent safety requirements, make sure the screen was big enough, the sound loud enough, and also to figure out how to work it and get the right CD’s and music.

I had never done Karaoke or seen it live.

It was worth it. There was so much emotion in the room, the music had a profound effect on the residents, they felt it in their hearts, souls and bones.

This wasn’t just some music they sat and listened to, this was something they could participate in, sing along with, clap and close their eyes to.

For some, it brought back many memories, for others it was a chance to “wake up,” as they put it,  and raises their voices to the world.

I’ve never seen Sylvie join in song before, she came over to sit with me and sing together. Madeline is a rock star, she’s a former actor and singer from New York City, she has memory issues, but none involving music.

It meant a lot to me to see those faces, those claps, that laughter, those smiles, and some tears. Madeline invited me to sing “Someday Over The Rainbow” with here, and most of the time, you could never  get me to sing on a video or any other medium.

We are going to the Mansion on Christmas morning to sing Karaoke Christmas carols with the residents.

Thanks to Lo Ann, and Carolyn and Mary for helping out, they are their very own Army Of Good.

It was a pleasure today, my own heart sang. Come along.

Peggie joined in the Karaoke training session yesterday – I have to say, this one was not simple. Peggie loves country music, and she wanted some support, so I joined her on the bench and we belted out some Patsy Cline songs.

I have to say, I never saw the Mansion aides laugh to hard as when I tried to follow the very fast-paced lyrics, even Madeline chuckled something about my being “tone deaf.” That was generous. Peggie and I did have fun, though, and we both are eager to sing on the Karaoke Machine again.

It absolutely unleashes something powerful in me. Unfortunately, Maria might have taken a video of this performance.

Dear Army Of Good, I want to thank you, as I try to do often, and also to share my holiday plans with you, which I am trying to do more often. We are in this together, and I want you to know what I know.

First off, I’ve been thinking about the holidays and also about my focus with this work. I want to make sure all of you know where I am going.

I’ve been planning for the holidays for a couple of months, and I’ve set it up so that I won’t have to ask for any additional funds until the New Year. I’m sure some of you need a break and have other things to spend your money on over the next few weeks.

I have a little over $800 in the Mansion/Refugee account, I think that will last me into January. Some of the money is going to the residents so they can buy gifts, some to cookies and pastries I’m getting for the Mansion Aides.

I don’t like asking for money all the time, even if it is going for good, so I’m happy to give people a break. You need money this month as well (I think of those $5 donations).

We have a lot planned. There is a Christmas party, of course, and thanks for sending all those party favors and stocking stuffers. The residents appreciate your letters as well: The Mansion, 11 S. Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Winnie, Ellen, Matt, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Joan, Allan,  Bill, Blanche, Helen, Barbara, Alanna, Peggie, Dottie, Tim,  Ben, Art, Jackie, Guerda, Brenda, Wayne, Ruth.

We have the Karaoke Machine inauguration on November 28, 2 p.m. Next week, I begin a weekly reading to the Mansion residents, I think that will go on a permanent basis. They requested that I read to them regularly. I’m in.

We’ve given the Mansion aides each a $50 gift certificate and I’ve gotten them engraved pens. Over

I’ve also distributed some cash to the residents so they can buy their own gifts for friends and the aides.

I’m excited about the comfort doll/animal program, by the end of the week,  seven residents will have dolls, and I’ve ordered some realistic stuffed animals to see if the men want some nurturing and companionship as well.

NOTE: Refugees. I am continuing to work with the refugees and immigrants in the Albany area. I am looking for ways to change lives rather than simply offer money. Thanks to some Albany school teachers, I have located two gifted students and working with two private schools to get them full scholarships in their college prep programs. 

I am working as a middleman to connect these two gifted students with the right school for them, I am insisting on a full scholarship for them. I’ll keep you posted. It’s going well.

I want to make sure my effort changes lives, rather than simply provides a band-aid.We did well by Ali’s soccer team, they are in good hands now, with new sponsors that can support them. The new sponsors don’t want them appearing on the blog, they want to raise funds themselves.

We have also made certain that everyone who needs underwear, sweatshirts or flannel shirts or pajamas has them for the holiday season and the winter. I’m sure I’m leaving some things out but this list is getting long.

Thanks much, I’ll share these events as they unfold, of course. Happy holidays, you make all of this possible. We are making an enormous difference this holiday.

Ellen got her comfort doll last Friday. She is with her baby almost all of the day now, she sleeps with her and walks with her. The baby has given Ellen a focus and task she was yearning for. Angel is something, to her someone, for her to love.

I saw the two of them sitting together in the Great Room of the Mansion today. Ellen has been offering to give the baby to everyone she sees at the Mansion to hold, and I see most of the residents seem reluctant.

I saw Ellen offer the baby to Alice to hold, and Alice said no, no thanks. Ellen was puzzled by this, I think a little hurt.  She can’t imagine everyone doesn’t feel the way she does about Angel.

Later, I saw Alice and I asked her why did chosen to hold Angel.

Alice looked at me and smiled, and said, “because if I did, I would cry.” The aides think Alice would benefit from having a comfort doll, I said I would order one.

I’ve already ordered one for Helen, it is on the way. They each cost between $120 and $150.

I see how important this is to the residents, especially the woman. One of the male residents asked me for a doll, but the aides were doubtful of his true motives, they advised against it.

With these two dolls, I think everyone in the Mansion who wants one or needs one or who the aides think should have one will have a comfort doll.

They really matter.

Here is an updated list of Mansion residents who wish to receive letters: It changes often, and many of the residents are not able to reply. Due to privacy laws, I am not permitted to answer any questions about their health or personal well-being.

The names are Winnie, Ellen, Matt, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Joan, Allan, Bill, Blanche, Helen, Barbara, Alanna, Peggie, Dottie, Tim, Ben, Art, Jackie, Guerda, Brenda, Wayne, Ruth.

Thanks for writing them, your letters matter. Think holidays.

If you would like to support my Mansion resident support program, you can do so by sending a contribution to Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected] or by going to the “Support The Army Of Good” button at the bottom of this post.

Major credit cards are accepted there for one-time donations of any amount.

I have been contacted by a school teacher in Albany who has two students who are desperate to join a soccer league in the city – not one connected to Ali or RISSE, the refugee and immigrant support center – and they each need $300 to join their league. They asked if I could help them to meet the cost of these fees, their parents can’t help them.

As I learned last year, soccer is of great importance.

They are both willing to be photographed and meet with me in Albany, and I am considering whether this is something I can do and should do. Right now, I’m focusing my energy on getting gifted refugee children into excellent private schools on full scholarship.

I said I would meet with the two young men and talk with them. Their teacher says they are quite special and gifted and deserving. More later.