BonaResponds Blog

BonaResponds Update for Spring Semester

2012-01-20T13:08:00.000-05:00

SOOOO many things going on this semester. Seriously do not even know where to start.

Boring first: SHORT meeting on Wednesday at 5:20 in Murphy to lay out the semester. It will be short as classes start at 6:00pm and I HATE MEETINGS!

More exciting:

1. International Service Day (a day of good deeds around the world!) on March 31. This is going to be big. We have people all over the place signed up. All you need to do is help. No tie to SBU needed (but it is a great excuse to get together with Bona Alums). Big groups in Buffalo, Dallas, Chicago, Orange County California, Olean NY, and many many many smaller groups. From Pakistan to Seattle and retty much everywhere else. Get involved. Help a neighbor, share your good deed. It will be very motivating to all involved to see how much good is being done. See BonaResponds.org for more or to sign up. oh and here is a BV article about it: http://www.thebv.org/news/bonaresponds-makes-plans-for-international-service-day-1.2745629#.Txmk4yM2KCY

(dull disclosure,no idea why Cameroon is listed...I do not know of anything going on there, but hey, maybe :) ).
If you know someone who lives outside the US and could ask them to get involved it would be particularly appreciated! Or if you know of anyone who lives more than 1 mile from SBU. Or if ...you get the idea :)

Most of our leaders from SBU will be working in Buffalo that day with Villa Volunteers from Villa Maria (thanks Kim) but we will have an event in Olean as well!

(BamBam and I need more help on this, so we'd love to get you involved!)

2. Collections

2a. Collections of school supplies for both Haiti and poor areas in the US continue. Pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, lap top computers, hand sanitizers, books (although market is limited as ENglish is not widely spoken in Haiti, some books may be shipped to other countries where we have contacts/former BR volunteers living etc.

New or used. We have shipped to many schools and orphanages in Haiti. Our next shipment will be in Early February. Drop off upstairs in Murphy, at the Allegany Park and Shop, or contact us for a pick up if needed.

2b. Collections of other items. In addition to school supplies we are also collecting small toys, soccer balls, etc for the schools and orphanages.

Specific requests for items from Haitian schools include: music items (sheet music, used instruments) for a school on Gonavies Haiti, carpentry and plumbing tools and supplies for a vocational school in Leogane, and additional medical supplies for a medical clinic in Port au Prince and toothbushes (uh new only!) for distribution in Leogane.

Again most items can be new, or lightly used.

Student contacts: Jess and Jen T.

3. Local work days: almost every weekend day (as in both Saturday and Sunday) we will be having work jobs locally. We are literally swamped. The Department of Aging sends us way more jobs than we can do and we also get many requests from the BonaResponds.org web site as well as word of mouth referrals. So there is a lot of work!

This long long list of jobs can be very frustrating (impossibly long), until you take a step back and consider that like after a disaster, we can not help everyone, but we can make a real impact in those we do help. Better not perfect. The difference locally is that if we don't help, they may not get the help.

We generally leave the Murphy parking lot between 10 and 11. Stay tuned for more details on a weekly basis...this weekend it is 10:30 each day. (and most of the work is inside) (you can come as often as you like. Ideally we have people volunteer to be student leader--mainly organizing sign-ups and transportation for at least one day a month. Contact Steve Ross (Banger) for more information. (and follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/BonaResponds

Look for a coming post on the importance of this local work through the eyes of someone we built a ramp for soon. I will summarize it as saying a ramp is more than just a porch outside of a door. It is a way of giving mobility and independence back to a person who might otherwise be home bound. The more ramps we do, the more I become convinced they may be the most important thing we do.

BTW we have not been reimbused on several local ramps so if you have money buring a hole in your pocket, we do accept donations :)

4. Earth Week cleanup --traditionally we help with trail clean up this weekend. Kathy H does a great job of organzing local groups on this effort and we fully expect to continue this. BUT (and I am excited about thiis) additionally this year I THINK (maybe be saying more than I know), we will be helping to organize a river side clean up as well. So get your canoes and Kayaks ready!

(and a note to local teachers, this would be a GREAT way to get your classes involved as well as to teach about the environment).

5. While we do not yet have a date, the annual No Child Left Inside/"what is college like?" day is also planned. This is when we bring "at risk" students to campus for small tours and to sit in on a class, tour a dorm room, see the library, etc. Many of these students come from family's with no "college experience" so this can be a big learning experience for them. After lunch we take them outside either to hike the trails or to take part in some other form of physical exercise. (would love to have some student leaders on this!)

ok, I will stop there...even though I didn't even get to talk about the new online course program we are starting for Haiti. I predict in a year or two it will be the biggest thing we do. Has HUGE upside as a means of helping people. Stay tuned.

If you want to get involved in any of these efforts or others, please do not hesitate to ask. We especially would love you and all your friends and all your enemies and those you barely know and those you do not yet know and your cousin's nephew and anyone else you can think of involved on March 31st. You do not want to miss it!

thanks everyone!

jim

PS I will try to keep people better informed this semester. (yeah I got a nasty email last night saying it is impossible to know what is going on since we don't send out many emails--hello twitter!!! ;) )

Notice Board Announcement

2012-01-20T11:52:00.002-05:00

BONARESPONDS WEEKEND WORK DAYS
BonaResponds will be having two work days this weekend: Saturday and Sunday. Work is primarily inside, but not completely, so dress for the cold.
Work includes: installing a new floor in Salamanca, fixing a drop ceiling in Hinsdale, readying 40 computers for shipment to various charities and schools in the Northeast, fixing a wheelchair ramp in Olean, and more. We will be meeting behind Murphy at 10:30 a.m. each day.

Sweet home Alabama - Features - The Bona Venture

2012-01-20T02:21:00.000-05:00

Sweet home Alabama - Features - The Bona Venture:

An article on our most recent (the article says "last" but I think the author may want to reword that?) trip to Alabama:

" The summer trip focused on cleaning up debris, while the winter trip focused on the lives of those who survived. During the summer, students volunteered in Tuscaloosa, one of the communities hit the hardest by the tornadoes.

"We went from cutting trees, hauling debris, removing waste, finding belongings and clearing out lots for trailer homes to building wheelchair ramps for those left without suitable means to leave their homes," said Jennifer Thomas, a junior psychology major, about attending both trips.

Here are some pictures of the trip:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.595666518005.2061074.64402614&type=3&l=6f2784f125

At a glance: Haiti - Four Haitian filmmakers explore conditions for children two years after the quake

2012-01-15T19:55:00.000-05:00

Image by Bona_Responds via FlickrUNICEF - At a glance: Haiti - Four Haitian filmmakers explore conditions for children two years after the quake:

Need a reminder why we are still working for Haiti long after it has departed the news headlines? Watch this video:

“This film project is all about listening to the Haitian voice and understanding children's lives,” said Thomas Nybo, coordinator of the project. “We issued a call for short-film proposals, either fiction or documentaries, and we chose four filmmakers, three of whom are from Cine Institute” – Haiti’s only film school, located in the Southern city of Jacmel.

The short films feature some of the biggest challenges facing Haiti’s children: losing parents to the earthquake; the plight of a girl working as a restavek, a domestic servant; and the challenges, especially economic, confronting families when they send their children to school.

If you want to help:

Donate to help pay shipping of school supplies: BonaResponds.org /donate.html.
Donate school supplies (new or used) that will be distribued to schools in Haiti. So far we have send over 50 pallets of supplies and are looking forward to our next shipment! Supplies, books, lap top computers, etc. can be dropped off at the Allegany Park and Shop, or 231 Murphy on SBU campus, or with Jenifer Spencer the upstairs business secretary in the Murphy Building on SBU's campus (far west side).
Donate new or used light construction equipment for a vocational school in Leogane. They would love just about anything, but their list is here "Hammers , raboteuse, Saws Braces and Boring Tools Planes Mortise, Tenon and Dovetail, drill, compass saw, smoothing plane, rabootez firmer chisel, brace and bit, screw driver,square, making gauge, hands screw, nails, sawing table. Pipe wrench, strap wrench, chain pipe wrench, adjustable spud wrench , hack saw, tube cutter, tube flatering tools, pipe threader, Sink Auger,toilet Auger, Plunger, Snake, tape, Plumber's Putty, duct tape, plumbing fixtures."
Donate musical instruments, sheet music, and the like to a music school in Gonnaives. Again, you donate, we will ship (no pianos ;) ) Must be able to fit in our barrels.
Donate to HaitiScholarships. This is a Spin-off of BonaResponds that helps to pay for Haitians to go to school in Haiti!
Get involved with the soon to be launched (sometime this semester) online program we have named Voyager Academy. It will be an online program" that allows Haitians free access to some of the best teachers and professors we can find in a video format with French and Creole Subtitles.
Not sure what to do? Just get involved! We have jobs for everyone on this one!!! From wherever you are!

Survey: How can BonaResponds do better?

2011-12-28T13:36:00.000-05:00

Survey: How can BonaResponds do better?: BonaResponds has one mission and that is to help people. Using that as our standard 2011 has been a great year. We responded to natural disasters in Alabama, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. We also responded to financial disasters in Camden NJ and Greensville SC. Locally we worked in Buffalo, Olean, and around Western New York almost every weekend of the year. Our International Service Day in March tied people around the worked together and promised greater success in the coming years. BonaResponds groups are now well established in Chicago and Dallas as well as the main organization headquartered at St. Bonaventure.

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Christmas presents in Sayre

2011-12-27T11:57:00.002-05:00

Back in October we worked on a trailer in Sayre. It was a really tough job for lots of reasons. We were under the trailer for 5 hours removing insulation and cleaning up around the area. But more than that it was a difficult job emotionally. The family had very little to start with and had had an incredible run of bad luck.

Months prior to the floods, the mother had been in a serious accident when she was hit by a truck while walking with her children. Thrown far by the impact, she broke her back and was left in bad shape. She did survive but was largely bed ridden and the family's time and resources, already very limited were pushed to the breaking point by medical costs, physical rehab, and refitting the trailer to make it more handicap accessible.

Then the flood came.

Several of the volunteers who worked at the house planned on doing something for the kids for Christmas, and while things did not go as planned, Chelsea and her family came through big time and collected money, donated money, shopped, and delivered gifts! :)

Here is a picture from the day:

From Chelsea:

"It was amazing, the parents were so incredibly thankful and the kids loved their presents. I ended up having $125 to spend on the family... We got little dress up clothes and things to make jewelery for the girls and the boy got a little indoor nerf basketball hoop set along with a nerf gun. Then we gave the parents some money. It was great "

In Caitlin's words:

"We weren't able to get a picture of the kids opening their gifts but the family was incredibly thankful for the gifts and the help"

Alberto Cairo: There are no scraps of men - YouTube

2011-12-24T21:36:00.001-05:00

Alberto Cairo: There are no scraps of men - YouTube:

WOW! Watch this. It is amazing. Maybe my favorite "TED talk" ever. It sums up my view of why we help perfectly.

" Alberto Cairo's clinics in Afghanistan used to close down during active fighting. Now, they stay open. At TEDxRC2 (the RC stands for Red Cross/Red Crescent), Cairo tells the powerful story of why -- and how he found humanity and dignity in the midst of war."

To Alberto Cairo, I do not know you, but I wish I did. You are my new hero.

To every volunteer we have had, watch it. This, better than even Three Cups of Tea, encapsulates why we do what we do. From after disasters, to locally, all jobs are high priority to those affected. It doesn't need to be a category 5 hurricane, or a F5 tornado, a leaking roof can be nearly as bad to those affected.

And finally, to every volunteer who wonders why we do so many wheel chair ramps: this, to a microscopically small small degree, is why wheel chair ramps are needed: wheel chair ramps aren't just an inclined entrance to a house, they are a road to a better life. And when watching, pay particular attention to the reason the son can now go to school. How many "sons" might our ramps set free in a similar manner?

Update from Bill on BonaResponds in Dallas (voice and pictures)

2011-12-15T12:39:00.001-05:00

On Saturday 35 BonaResponds volunteers helped many others in the Dallas area to give disadvantaged children from the Dallas area a better Christmas season. Bill, John, and Bob (and of course others!) worked handing out presents, giving coats, and feeding thousands of hotdogs.

Here is Bill's voice mail explaining what they did:

And a short slideshow of their day.

A "please come help call" from Alabama

2011-12-14T18:55:00.000-05:00

I missed this call yesterday. I hope you don't now. Listen to it. It is worth it!

Remember to sign up ASAP for the Alabama trip! Jan 3 to 12th: http://ow.ly/7ZNCa

Alabama trip update and signup

2011-12-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

A Thank you from a former Allegany Resident

2011-12-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

Image by Bona_Responds via FlickrOne year ago to the week BonaResponds was very busy in flood clean up. Today I was reminded of the great work that the volunteers did when Sr. Margaret (SBU president) forwarded the following email. I took the woman's name off of it since I did not have permission to share, BUT I will say that I know the job and it was one that was REALLY cool since several people from Gowanda (a town that was flooded the year before where BonaResponds made many trips to--they are wearing the green shirts) came over to help.

Email in its entirety (except name)

Sr. Margaret,

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you and congratulations for a job well done!!! let me explain.
As an alumni, I am proud to say I graduated with my 1st Masters degree from St. Bonaventure. Knowing I was born
and raised in Allegany, this makes me even more proud to know the university is involved and dedicated to the
community in a positive manner.

It was a while back now, during the last flooding that Allegany experienced. My brother lives on Union Street in
our family's homestead. It was always a wonderful place to live; however, the one challenge we always had was the
flooding of the Allegheny River. During the last flooding, my brother did get water, not only around the house, but
the basement, garage and almost into the house. He had just had a hip replacement and was unable to prepare for the
flooding as normal.

When the water receded, he had damage to some walls, the furnace, and much of the insulation. Being that I no longer
live in New York, I was unable to get there to help him out, but he said to me that everything was under control. I
asked him what he meant by this. He told me that several St. Bonaventure students were there and assisting him. These
students worked very hard and were dedicated to helping him out. They did a wonderful job.
I understand the university has formed an organization to assist the community in this manner.

Kudos to these students and all that they do!!!! Kudos to the St. Bonaventure as well!!!!

Thank you!!!

A poem for Santa and our Christmas Wish List

2011-12-06T12:42:00.002-05:00

Dear Santa,

As you know BonaResponds is very active on many different "fronts": we help after disasters, he help locally in a plethora of ways, we help internationally (especially in Haiti), and we even help you with getting some presents for people who have less.

We know the song. The one that goes "he knows if you've been naughty or nice." And we are sure if you think twice, you will know that BonaResponds has been extra nice. That said, we'd like to give you a little reminder by poem.

First we must apologize that the poem is pretty bad, but here is a recap of the year we had.

We helped near and far, by dipping into the donation jar. We helped young school children and many a home bound senior citizen.

We helped vets and pets.

We helped schools with tools.

We helped other groups, and even send messages to our troops.

We worked in Greenville and Portville, we helped in Cotttondale and up the dale.

We helped after big disasters, and single family's setbacks.

We worked in the sun and on the run. In the cold, we were bold!

Our amazing crew in Dallas worked hard in every way, and they were never callous. They worked with the handicapped on horses and in courses.

In Buffalo and Chicago, BR and others worked as one to get much done. From handicapped camps, to wheelchair ramps we simply did what was needed.

While BonaResponds can not always not make things perfect, we made things better especially where it was wetter.

Wearing our brown duds, we cleaned up after several floods. We worked where people had lost their hope, but still had CitiHope!

And as if on a dare, we went to Sayre where the water had been deep so the garbage we did heap.

We worked after tornadoes in Alabama, NY, and Massachusetts where we made new friends and helped those who had lost so much, realize the importance of a touch.

We sent supplies to Haiti, and were never hatey.

We built ramps, and ramps, and ramps. Truth be told, many of us got sick of ramps, but they were what was needed, so the call we all heeded.

So Santa, we think we have been good, we've helped in the hood and around the neighborhood. The generosity of the volunteers and the donors have allowed us to helped near and far, but there is much more we can still do. This is our Christmas wish list. The list is not for us, but for those we help.

Oh and PS, if you ever want to come volunteer with us, we'd love to have you along! (We are always looking for drivers! I wonder if we could get you and your sleigh approved?)

We've compiled a list of things that would help us to help others. If you could get us any of these items we would surely appreciate it and more importantly those we are helping would love it!

Haiti Related

Pens, pencils, calculators, crayons, notebooks, rulers, notebook computers, hand sanitizer, math or English books, small toys, deflated soccer balls.
For The CJM primary school in Leogane Haiti-- 8 French-English Dictionaries (they cost less than $6 at Amazon), also two notebook computers (or more)
For a school in Gonaives Haiti: musical instruments (used or new), sheet music, and a notebook computer.
An education to someone in Haiti. HaitiScholarships has a waiting list of students who want to go to school but can not afford it. If you make a donation, a Haitian can go to school (HS pays up to 75% of their tuition) and you (or whoever you select) gets a certificate letting you know who is in school because of you (and with your permission) that student will send a thank you card too!)For about $1 a day you can literally change the life. Think about it! $1.
Tools (gently used or new) for a vocational school in Leogane Haiti. They would like hammers, saws, tape measures, wire cutters, pipe cutters, a router, a drill, a plane, sandpaper, drill bits, or any other small tools. But really can use pretty much anything. Indeed they would LOVE some contractors to volunteer to teach for a few weeks. If any of your elves are available, let us know.

USA related

School packs (pencils, crayons, calculators, pens, and notebooks) for students in Buffalo, Camden, and elsewhere whose teachers have identified as in need of supplies.
Toys for a family in Sayre that we helped. The mother was in a severe accident and then they were flooded out. Very sad story.
Grab bars (or money for grab bars) to install in homes of physically challenged in and around Western New York State. We have been installing them for the Dept. of Aging, but the cost is adding up fast. If anyone wants to donate for these, it would be excellent.
Money to buy lumber for wheel chair ramps. It costs about $16 a foot for a ramp. For every inch of elevation change, it is one more foot. So this adds up. Many of those in need cannot afford it. Do we let them be home bound?
A large sump pump (gas powered). We "lost" ours in Margaretville after their flooding. We have not needed it since (used small ones in Athens) but it is only a matter of time.
A compressor to run nail guns. Each ramp has about 750+ nails. A nail gun would make us faster and allow us to help more people.
A volunteer to work a few hours during the week. Of late we have Kevin and it is a HUGE help, but he will be leaving for South Korea soon. The volunteer would help scout jobs, make occasional trips to Buffalo, and to keep the storage facility organized.
Christmas cards: we would love to deliver Christmas cards to local nursing homes and send them to the troops overseas. Anyone who wants to help you with this, can leave them off at the Allegany Park and Shop (or any of the other Park and Shops, but you might have to explain more there---tell them to send the cards to Allegany attn BonaResponds).
More volunteers. We always can use more volunteers.
as much as we hate to ask, money for travel is also often a need. Gas costs money. If you wanted to drop off money in our stocking, that would be ok too, but we'd really rather you come volunteer. Volunteers are more appreciated!

World Related

Oh and if you could tell everyone of our International Service Day (ISD) on March 31st that would be most excellent as well. We are asking people to go help others where ever they are. The jobs can be big or small. Some alumni groups are doing it, but volunteers do not need any tie to SBU. They just need a willingness to help and share their good deeds. It is going to be a great day! We already have volunteers in quite a few spots but we want thousands more! so spread the word when you spread your good cheer. (http://BonaResponds.org/isd.html)

Thank you Santa!

PS when you are doing your Christmas shopping, it would be really cool if you did it though Good Shop. List BonaResponds as the charity and we get a small percentage of everything you buy. From books at Amazon to just about everything elsewhere...if you buy online, go to GoodShop.com first and remember to list BonaResponds as the charity. :)

An Indirect Thank You from a Catskills resident and a valuation lesson

2011-11-29T18:46:00.001-05:00

BonaResponds Volunteers helping in Margaretville

I received the following (only SLIGHTLY edited) from another SBU professor today:

"I was recently speaking at an American Legion Post downstate in Delhi, New York. After the dinner and speeches were done a woman came up to me and asked if it was true that I worked at St. Bonaventure and I said yes. She immediately started to cry and wound up just holding me. I asked her what was the matter and she said that we have no idea how much the help from the BonaResponds students meant to her family and their area recently ravaged by the floods. She went on about that for awhile with several folks listening since they saw her crying, when I left their Post about a hour later she came up and thanked me again and wanted to make sure the folks back at Bonas knew how much that meant. "

I have no idea who the woman was. No clue. I do not even know if we worked on her home or not. It could be any of many that were helped on that trip, or a family member, or even just a neighbor who was worried about someone we helped. I have no idea.

I do know that many many times we have no idea of the residual impact of our work. (think butterfly in Africa). We can measure the dollar value of a job, but it fails to measure the true impact. I know that since graduation in May BonaResponds has provided about $300,000 in services to people. I report that to the BonaResponds board regularly. But the true value of this can not be completely measured in US dollars, Haitian Gourdes, or Ghanaian Cedi. To get the true value you can start with the currency but must also add in hugs, smiles, reduced anxiety, and tears of joy. And as a finance professor who teaches valuation, I just do not know how to value those, so I guess they are priceless :).

BonaResponds pre-Thanksgiving update

2011-11-22T11:39:00.000-05:00

A few updates on things: (much info, so try to read them all)

Work this past weekend in Limestone went well. Here are many many pictures of the job. We will be going back to finish the Sunday December 4th to finish. (if anyone wants to fix broken windows in his door for him (it is going to get cold!) We'd really appreciate it! Also if anyone has a BobCat (or wants to help rent one), it sure would make the job go faster.
We are going to be working locally over Thanksgiving break in the Olean area. Work will be at least Fri-Sunday. If anyone wants to, I can probably be convinced to go out on Wednesday as well. Jobs include doing helping make a home handicap accessible, building a ramp, and packing for Haiti.
Currently in waiting we have three ramp jobs, making 3 different homes accessible (one Olean, one Hinsdale, one Ellicotville), and finishing up in Limestone. SO WE WILL BE NEEDING VOLUNTEERS.
Want to make a bigger impact? When shopping this Holiday Season, pick up some SMALL toys, school supplies, calculators, etc for Haiti. And we also will be sending some to a family in Athens/Sayre that not only got flooded, but the mother was hit by a truck when walking and the children will REALLY appreciate the Christmas presents.
Also there is a Vocational school in Haiti looking for tools (hammers, drills, screw drivers, tape measures, speed squares and the like. They'd also love volunteers to help teach! Let me know if interested.Image by Bona_Responds via Flickr
Another school in Haiti is looking for musical instruments and sheet music. So why not clean out your attic over break!
It appears the Winter trip will be Jan 3 to January 12th. Most likely place is outside of Tuscaloosa. Details after Thanksgiving break.
We NEED to do a fundraiser. We will be selling BonaResponds Hoodies and bracelets the week after Thanksgiving in the RC.
Planning for the International Service Day is going well. It is March 31, 2012 Saturday. Jobs in Poland, Pakistan, Uganda, Haiti, Olean, Buffalo, Dallas, Orange County California, and more. NEed you involved. Big or small. With ties to SBU or not. Plan on helping! Sign up here: http://bonaresponds.org/isd.html
There are 5 nice ways to help (from shopping, to giving alternative gifts, to dropping off supplies) on BonaResponds.org. Check them out!

Have a great Thanksgiving and remember to make a difference!

Better to give than to recieve?

2011-11-10T17:26:00.000-05:00

'Tis better to give than to receive?:

" The researchers also found another interesting pattern of neural activity in the septal area. In addition to being a pleasure center, this region plays a role in threat- or stress-reduction by inhibiting other regions of the brain that process threats, such as the amygdala. Researchers found that the women who showed greater activity in the septal area also showed less activity in the amygdala.

"This finding suggests that support-giving may have stress-reducing effects for the person who provides the support," said Eisenberger, who directs UCLA's Social and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory. "Activity in the septal area during support-giving was negatively correlated with activity in the amygdala, which is a region known to play a role in fear and stress responses. If there is something about support-giving that leads to reductions in amygdala activity, this suggests that support-giving itself may have stress-reducing properties."

"Giving to others has benefits," said Inagaki, the lead author of the study....

read more here.

Cross posted on BonaResponds.org

This Sunday's work day plus more for Notice Board

2011-11-10T02:56:00.000-05:00

BonaResponds will be working this Sunday. The main job will be removing a building that has been destroyed in Limestone. We will be working with the volunteer fire dept. that will be having a training/controlled burn after we move the materials away from other buildings and salvage anything that we can for recycling. Additionally there are three homes that need to be made handicapped accessible (installing hand rails etc), a ceiling needs repair, and of course there is another wheelchair ramp request. We likely will not get through all of these jobs, but we sure can try! (indeed we were told the house in Limestone would take 100 volunteers 5 days, my guess? 25 BonaResponds Volunteers in a single day! Let's accept the challenge!

Additionally, we want to ship our next shipment of school supplies, small toys, soccer balls, and other similar items to Haitian Schools over Thanksgiving Break. Since the earthquake we have shipped about 50 pallets of supplies and the schools report that the students love getting our shipments since they are both useful (pencils etc) as well as fun (toys, crayons, soccer balls). Additionally this last time we have had some requests from a vocational school in Leogane for tools (hammers, tape measures, etc), from a school near Port au Prince for basketballs, and from a school in Gonaives for all and any kind of musical instruments (we are not shipping a piano!) and sheet music. (all items can be new or used). (total disclaimer: items in excess of current needs or too expensive to ship will be shared with the poor in the Buffalo NY, Camden NJ, and elsewhere in the US).

If you would like to donate, you can drop off in the Business Dept upstairs in Murphy (my office is 231) or at the Allegany Park and Shop or email me (jimmahar@yahoo.com) and we can arrange pick-up.

Various BonaResponds' updates

2011-10-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

It has been a while, so I will give some fast updates:

SIFE will be sharing some donations of used computers. They will be going to the Bahamas, Haiti, and probably some inner city schools in the US. If you would like to help, please contact us. The donations come from SBU, local school districts, and others. THANK YOU.
Got two pleasant surprises in today's BV. We will be receiving some money from a Halloween fund raiser on campus. 24 people will be touring the "Haunted areas" of Bonaventure. (I think it would be a great tour, too bad I missed out on it.) Also we will be getting volunteers from the newly re-formed Knights of Columbus on campus.
Several jobs this weekend:

On Saturday at 10:30 we will begin work from the back of Murphy. It currently looks like we will be doing many smaller local jobs (example: cutting some downed trees on trails, packing school supplies for Haiti, taking back some of the recyclables we cleaned off of Bruce's porch last week, and starting to frame some new ramps. We may also begin a job in Limestone, but would like to stay close to SBU to see some of the Woman's Rugby Playoff game. Go Legends!
On Sunday we will be MAINLY making 600+ pizzas for the Catt County SPCA. This will be from about 11:00 to 3:45. (we leave campus at 11:10) Additionally a few people will be needed to do a smallish roof job in Hinsdale.

'Green Tags' Offer Simple Way to Manage Cleanup Efforts - WETM 18 Online

2011-10-13T02:19:00.000-04:00

'Green Tags' Offer Simple Way to Manage Cleanup Efforts - WETM 18 Online:

"For Brian Johnson and his family, cleaning up their Athens home seems like a never-ending process; after more than a month of demolition, it’s also a process they could no longer handle by themselves.

“I don’t got the time. We’re working constantly, [and] then coming back here. There’s no time to do it,” Johnson said.

The video has Holly in it (she was helping to find us jobs and worked with us (or us her?) on a home). Also has shots of three of the homes we worked on :)

BonaResponds plans community service, volunteer trips throughout region - News - The Bona Venture

2011-10-10T06:16:00.000-04:00

BonaResponds plans community service, volunteer trips throughout region - News - The Bona Venture

From the BV

"Last Saturday, members built a wheelchair ramp....in Buffalo.

This weekend, members are traveling to Athens, Pa., where flood waters [almost] 800 homes in the area.

Senior Jessica Misiaszek said she is looking forward to the trip.

"Even though it is midterm break, I would rather spend my time volunteering and helping people than sitting around and doing nothing," Misiaszek"

Day one in Athens

2011-10-09T00:58:00.000-04:00

Saturday -- three jobs ALMOST completed...1 really big, 1 pretty big, and one average sized...

First job was on Suterlee in Sayre PA. The house had been gutted but the basement had not been touched. It was a combination of mud and cement blocks as one side of the foundation had caved in. Relax Larry, it was safe. We had an assembly line up the stairs and to the curb. Went VERY fast. Then turned attention to the mud which was just wet enough to be relatively easy to scoop so long as there was not concrete in it--a fact which means that approximately 1 in 20 shovels were easy. Just when we thought we were getting close to done we realized there was a large crawl space with much mud, insulation, and heating conduits. Steve (Banger) did a great job of handing out barrels of insulation and wood to be disposed of.

AS the work began to near completion about half the group broke off and moved furniture and cleaned out the basement of the next door neighbors.

The largest job was a house on Maple that had not been touched since the flood; it had mud everywhere, carpets covering floors, and mold rampant, oh and by the way, there is still about an inch of water in the basement. The volunteers completely gutted 5 rooms and a stairway in about 4 hours. We have to go back to do the basement but otherwise the job is 95% done for gutting (some in bathroom).

Haitian camp populations decline, but residents still in need – UN official

2011-10-01T08:23:00.001-04:00

600,000 is too many for 21 months later.

Haitian camp populations decline, but residents still in need – UN official:

30 September 2011 –
"The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) still in camps in Haiti after their homes were destroyed by last year’s catastrophic earthquake has declined from 1.5 million to 600,000, but hardship in the settlements has not eased, the United Nations humanitarian chief said today at end of her three-day visit to the country."

And from Canada's Chronicle Herald on Thursday:

"The latest figures from the UN’s Office of the Special Envoy on Haiti show slightly more than 40 per cent of the $4.6 billion in development funds promised to Haiti by the world’s governments for 2010-11 have been delivered. Haitians rightly fear that the shortfall in promises for the years beyond 2011 will grow as the world moves on. .....

and later:

"Among the observations of our 10-day, fact-finding mission to Haiti this past June are the following:
• Life in the displaced persons camps remains harsh. In many, there is no ready access to potable water, toilets, bathing facilities and medical services.
• Nearly half of the buildings in Port au Prince left standing by the earthquake are unsafe for habitation, yet Haitians have moved back into them in large numbers.
• New shantytowns housing tens of thousands of people have arisen on the arid lands beyond the former northern perimeter of the city as people lose faith — or patience — in formal reconstruction plans."

Lowell doctor's return visit to Haiti an eye-opener - Lowell Sun Online

2011-09-20T12:48:00.000-04:00

Lowell doctor's return visit to Haiti an eye-opener - Lowell Sun Online:

"I learned a lot of technique from him and passed on a lot of knowledge to him," Johnson said. "Dr. Alexander would be a valuable contribution to Lowell, but I would not want to contribute to the Haitian brain drain. They need him."

Johnson said he was stunned by the lack of progress he observed between his first and second trips, a year apart.

"The Presidential Palace is still pancaked," he said. "People are still living in tent cities. The Anglican Cathedral is still destroyed.

"Billions of dollars came into the country, but there is no visible significant construction going on," he said.

This is a big reason why we are collecting school supplies and construction tools. Money can be stolen and wasted, but it is much harder to make off with a bunch of hammers, pens, or pencils.

BR in the News all over the place! wow.!

2011-09-19T12:06:00.001-04:00

From the BV on Friday:

Bona’s responds to Catskills’ call - Features - The Bona Venture:

"BonaResponds volunteers were inundated with a desire to help the people of the Catskills region after Hurricane Irene's devastation, and the group stepped up to help the suffering community.

Upward of 30 students and volunteers came together in Marga-retville, N.Y. to help with the restoration and revitalization of the city. Jessica Misiaszek, a senior journalism and mass communication major, was among the volunteers.

"I have never experienced a tornado (or) hurricane disaster, so when I see other places undergo these disasters, I want to help," Misiaszek wrote in an email. "I would rather spend my time helping others that need it, than doing nothing and worrying about my own life."

and later in the same article:

"Residents were extremely gracious and appreciative of St. Bonaventure's outreach. The two-day trip allowed students to get a true sense of the importance of helping communities in need.
"The people of the Catskills thanked our group several times for our efforts," [Alexandra] Perl wrote. "BonaResponds is a phenomenal organization dedicated to providing comfort, stability and emotional support to victims of tragedy."

On Saturday we were in the Olean Times Herald:

"For many college students, summer is a time to relax, travel, work, or catch up with friends and family.

For a number of dedicated St. Bonaventure University students with the BonaResponds group, this summer was anything but relaxing as they helped with several natural disasters around the country"

We were also in on Sunday but I can not find a link.

And on Sunday James Torres was on the front page of the Elmire StarGazette:
Flood cleanup in the Valley | stargazette.com | Elmira Flood of 2011 | Star-Gazette: JASON WHONG / STAFF PHOTO
James Torres, 21, of Long Island, an English major at St. Bonaventure University and volunteer for BonaResponds, dumps insulation material in a pile Saturday in front of the home of Sue Green on Maple Street in Athens.

Another picture from inside the paper is here. (shows Larry and James)

Video of the destruction in area we are working

2011-09-17T07:42:00.000-04:00

Nervous? Yeah me too. Come volunteer anyway

2011-09-17T02:49:00.000-04:00

I get nervous before every trip. Some more so than others. This one is worse than almost any I can remember (at least since the last time I took the group to New Orleans on the day off--still nervous about that one 4 years later, but that is another story).

"Nervous about what?" you say. Everything I say: from someone getting injured to being too poorly organized, from there being too much work to there being too little; from not getting enough done and being in over our heads (literally sometimes!), to not living up to expectations (my own or worse those we have come to help.)

Every trip is like this to varying degrees. I remember being scared going into Biloxi after Katrina on our first trip; scared I would not be able to do anything to help. Scared I was too weak, too inexperienced in disaster response volunteering. Scared I would embarrass myself or those with me.

On subsequent trips to the Gulf I worried I picked the wrong place ('who in the world is Randy?' 'What is Randy's Rangers?', 'could we do more elsewhere?'), whether we could cut the trees they wanted removed, whether we would be as good at putting drywall up as taking it down. 9 trips to the Gulf and was afraid at the start of every one.

I remember vividly when cleaning up a flood in Gowanda NY worrying whether we would be able to satisfy the town leaders who had called references on us before agreeing to allow us in. In Iowa the worry was whether the drive was too long for the amount of work we could accomplish. In Springfield Massachusetts whether we would be able to make an impact on our first short trip after being told repeatedly they had volunteers and had it covered. In Haiti whether I would be able to do any good, and whether I would let down those I so wanted to impress and win over or whether the different culture and environment would be too much. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama whether I would live up to the expectations of my "finance friends" several of whom who wanted answers to simple questions that I had no idea of (like a few days before the trip: "how many are coming"..lol).

But in most of those we had at least the veil of the towns people not knowing of us in advance. If we failed it would have been that "group of Yankees", "lazy Americans", "some college volunteers", or "those New Yorkers". That veil is pierced here. "The Valley" is too close to Bonaventure. Caitlin's parents, Erin's Mom and Dad, my former students, too many alums, to close to home. We are known, our record is known, and that raises expectations; we can't let them down. That makes me nervous.

Indeed in many ways I feel I personally have already let them down: we have a small turn out. Too few volunteers. Why? Who knows, but I know I attribute it to poor marketing by me. While I am not sure if it is too little marketing (potential volunteers did not know the enormity of the destruction) or too much (and like the boy who cried wolf, my cries fall on deaf ears), it was my fault. I let them down. People will not get back into their houses because I failed them.

Moreover, while every single person we help is important, it can be easier to work on a home of someone you do not know. Why? Because you are tearing apart the house and it is uncomfortable in the best of times. But if you do not know the family well, you have a mental shelter, however fragile, to retreat to--it is someone's else and will likely never see that person again.

But this time is different. Our first house tomorrow will be on a house of a current SBU student who is with us on this trip. Yes you read that correctly. I had no idea when we chose the locale, but a volunteer who traveled here with us will be working on his own home. I am sure it will be stressful for him and his family. Even more than on every other home I have worked on, I hope we can help. I hope we can help enough to make a real difference.

I hope we live up to the expectations of city officials who have waived some driving restrictions for us so that we can get to more homes tomorrow. How I am afraid I will have to say no to many of those who have asked our help. Not because I want to, but simply because we are limited by a lack of volunteers or by my poor organization that leads to inefficiencies.

I am writing this not to sound like a bumbling coward, but to let those people who are afraid to volunteer, know that being afraid is not a good excuse. For if it were, nearly every BonaResponds project would never have gotten off the ground, and untold thousands of people would be a bit worse off right now.

So face your fears, come out and volunteer. You can do it. You are not too old, too young,too fat, or too skinny. Not too busy or too inexperienced. You will not embarrass yourself, you will not mess things up. I have those covered for you. Come and help. You will be glad you did, but you know who will be even more glad you came to help? The people you helped.

Flood Debris Pickup - WETM 18 Online

2011-09-15T13:52:00.000-04:00

Flood Debris Pickup - WETM 18 Online:

" The streets of Athens Borough were shutdown as debris crews picked up all furniture, appliances or damaged goods on sidewalks.

The streets are filled with neighbor’s cherished goods."

This weekend! Flood response, Buffalo, and local activities. We really need volunteers! (and drivers)

2011-09-13T17:47:00.000-04:00

Never satisfied with just "busy" BonaResponds has opted to make a huge impact this weekend on multiple fronts in multiple areas. So here goes:

Flood relief--as you know, thousands of homes were flooded from the one-two punch of Irene and Lee. We are going back to help this weekend. After much deliberation, we decided to go to Athens PA. This will allow us to help in Owego, Athens, Sayre, and Towanda. We will be staying in the local school. (This was made possible by Erin Sullivan who is a former student of mine at SBU). Watch the video:

Sign up for the trip here.

If you can drive, we'd love it. If you bring 4 people and drive, we will pay your gas. It is just over 2 hours from SBU as well as Rochester. It is about 50 minutes from Binghamton. (which was our second choice to go to. But from reports of people on the ground, Binghamton had more volunteers already, so we opted to take the road less traveled).

Bring sleeping bags, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, a good attitude and a willingness to help others!. I will give a more complete list in a subsequent blog entry.

2. Buffalo. Prior to the floods we had a day planned for Buffalo. While we have scaled it back dramatically, there are two jobs that we'd really like to still do. The Bob Lanier Center has had a few recent break-ins and vandalism. They have asked us to paint graffiti and help restore the community center. This is a SATURDAY only job.

Also in Buffalo there is a ramp project that is pretty important. It is for a girl who lives at Baker Victory Services but can not go home to see here mom anymore since there is no ramp. It is a job that is screaming to be done. I realize many of you are tired of ramps, but please remember that to the person getting the ramp, it is the most important thing you can do and they are appreciative. This is from Sabrina, the person who contacted me about the job last month:

".my resident has profound intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and a trachea. The only thing she has to look forward to is visiting her mother. Unfortunately, mom's house is not wheelchair accessible, and she is unable to afford a ramp (had a stroke shortly after giving birth). This will change a family's life for a very long time."

Sabrina has several skilled people lined up to help, but we need a leader there to coordinate the work (and get lumber etc).

3. In Olean, Future pro-bowler Jen Thomas will be heading a small team on Saturday to help the SPCA with their fund raiser (and likely walk some dogs too ;) )

Ok, hang on...going to be an awesome ride! You will be making a huge impact no matter where you choose. So come on out and help!

Multiple fronts of attack this weekend. If you want to volunteer, we have a job for you!

Post-Irene Mold Remediation Resources | Living the Dream

2011-09-12T12:17:00.000-04:00

Post-Irene Mold Remediation Resources | Living the Dream:

For those who have been flooded out, here is a report on how to deal with mold. Be sure to read it. It is a study done by friend of mine on homes we helped work on in Mississippi. (the Hope VI homes for those of you on the trips)

"For a presentation on the Hope VI experiment, a comprehensive test of the efficacy of different methods of mold removal in post-Katrina Coastal Mississippi conducted in 2006, please click here.

For complete instructions on the 4-step low cost process that Hands On Gulf Coast used with high success, please click here."
(VERY GOOD!)

SHORT version:

Gut, use wire brushes to remove visible (and invisible) spores (griding), vacuum, wipe down, prime.

I will say it can be tedious work, but this study shows it works much better than bleach alone.

Flood update

2011-09-09T18:08:00.000-04:00

Having spoken to several people on the ground, it appears the water is still too high in many places. IF it were closer to here or if we had no other jobs, I think it would be worth the risk of no work, but given these practical problems, we will hold off until next weekend to go to the flooded regions (Binghamton and/or Pratville and/or Northern PA).

I feel I am letting the flood victims down, but am confident it is the decision that makes the most sense given we have 60 local volunteers coming tomorrow from Terry Moran's class and have several jobs to do locally.

THAT SAID, and I can not stress it enough, we will not turn our back on the flood victims. The extra time will give us the opportunity for a larger response. It is my guess that some will be there next weekend and it is looking more and more likely to the the location of our fall break trip as well.

Here is probably the best coverage of much of this round of flooding that I have seen:
from the Sacramento Bee.

More flooding :( Stay tuned.

2011-09-08T11:02:00.000-04:00

Lots of reports of new flooding to East. BonaResponds has several local events planned, BUT are considering a response. It is currently raining there (listening to radio now). 10,000 in Binghamton area are under evacuation orders and many roads are again closed.

Several SBU alumni have been in contact as well. We have several local jobs planned this weekend, so it may be impossible to take many people, but we are exploring possibilities of teaming with other groups to help. Stay tuned.

Families Feel Sharp Edge of State Budget Cuts - NYTimes.com

2011-09-07T11:39:00.000-04:00

“We’re O.K. unless something — anything at all — goes wrong,” said Rachel Haifley,Families Feel Sharp Edge of State Budget Cuts - NYTimes.com:

"Whatever the motive, such policy changes come as the downturn has left a growing number of low-income families in worse financial trouble.

The percentage of children living in poverty rose during the last decade, particularly once the recession hit and unemployment soared.

By 2009, about 2.4 million more children’s families lived below the poverty line than in 2000, an increase of 18 percent, according to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data"

What sums it up is:

“We’re O.K. unless something — anything at all — goes wrong,” said Rachel Haifley,

BonaResponds helps with those who fall through the "ever widening cracks": The person who makes too little to afford home repairs, but too much to get it done by some state program. Or after a disaster when many things go wrong. By being small and nimble we can help these people. We do help these people.

BTW I am not saying the cracks should not be there as it may be more efficient to have cracks than bloated bureaucracies intended to catch every crack, but I am saying that those who slip through the cracks need help. And we can do that. Be it with a wheelchair ramp for a veteran who somehow has been turned down by the VA, or school supplies for the children whose parents have lost their job.

Margaretville Update

2011-09-03T22:38:00.000-04:00

Great day! 11+ jobs done and very moving meeting to end the day.

Finished 11 jobs in the Margaretvill/Ashville area. Mainly mudding out basements/first floors.

We did have some organizational problems at the start but they worked themselves out very quickly and the day went exceedingly well.

Some of today's events:
Mudding out 4 home basements
Jacking up a porch
Sweeping out a first floor (it had been gutted but thin layer of mud remained)
Removing furniture and other items from first floor, removing carpets, and storing items to allow house to be gutted and heaved floors to be replaced.
Counseling several residents on "next step" (typically bleach and ventilate to allow wood to dry)
Removing appliances and furniture from several apartments (to give you an idea of # of appliances, they filled 3 medium sized dumpsters, helping tenants salvage any of their belongings before their apartments were to be gutted
Mudding the basement of a local theater. (Note, this was a HUGE job--at least 25 volunteers...may never have seen a team work so hard for 2 straight hours. GREAT work VOLS!!)
Removing a tree trunk that was potentially blocking stream under bridge.
several volunteers worked in food bank in Margaretville.
At night, packed 2+ pallets of medicine for shipment to Eithiopia with Citihope.

We also had a great meeting to wrap up the day. In addition our volunteers, we had truly inspitational talks by the Reverend Paul Moore, his sone Paul both of Citihope, and Tom Harvey of The Global Environment and Technology Foundation. Honored to be able to work with them all. Not sure what else to say, but truly inspirational people doing great things all around the globe. I hope that BonaResponds will be able to help them in the future.

Tomorrow we will be working in Arkville, Margaretville, and making our first trip into Fleishman.

Lest you think today was all work, I have to add I heard several times that this was the most fun BonaResponds day that even expereinced volunteers had ever been on. Oh, and Jive and I dove into a large mud pile as if it were a slip and slide (was already so muddy it added virtually zero to our mud total). Look for pictures soon!

Updates on our trip to Margaretville for flood cleanup--yes you can come!

2011-08-31T12:50:00.001-04:00

To try to save everyone from contacting me separately...

YES WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
We will decide van departure times today at the 5:30 BonaResponds meeting in Murphy (aud). Best guess is one van will leave on Thursday night (9:30?) and a second van 5:00pm on Friday.
it is unfortunate but yes we do have to be back on Sunday. HOWEVER, if you want to stay longer, we will help arrange places for you to stay and tools..
We do need drivers. You must be PREAPPROVED by SBU, so please let us know ASAP if you are willing to drive.
We will be staying with the Catskill Mountain Christian Center in Margaretville.
Most of the work will be mudding out houses.
Thanks to generous donations in the past, we purchased two sump pumps (our other ones were destroyed in Gowanda). One is a gas powered pump that can pump 16 gallons per minute.
BonaResponds' stars Larry and Bonnie will be in Margaretville by this evening to scout jobs etc.
They also took about 20-25 gallons of bleach. Much of this was left over from the floods in Olean area last year. And our new LARGE pump.

Took part in this morning's NY VOAD meeting. Some highlights

Best description of what it is like is that "it is just like Gowanda in 2009 but it is town after town of the same".
Many groups coming together to provide food and water and cleaning supplies, but difficult as needs are widely spread and many stores are closed due to their own flooding.
Be sure to have those affected file with FEMA.The Red Cross will likely be getting us cots, but I can not guarantee it yet. We do have a place to stay in Margaretville, NY. The area was hit especially hard and in the center of several towns that need help.
The Mennonite Disaster Response crew will also be in the area! They are very very good. :)

here is a map:

View Larger Map

Special requests: laundry detergent, diapers (baby and adult), and baby food. The grocery store (and many other stores in area) were flooded. You can drop off these items at 231 Murphy on the SBU campus or at the Allegany Park and Shop (24 N 1st Allegany NY) (our typical Haiti collection spots).

We are open to all who want to help. Here is a sign up form. You will also have to sign this waiver form.

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Here is a video of recovery efforts in the area:

Here is one during the flood which gives some idea of how high it was (16 feet of water!) Wow:

I will end with two things:

1. There is a clear need for assistance. You can and will help people and have a great time.
2. Imagine if you were flooded out. Or your parents. Or your grandparents. Wouldn't you want someone to help.

Open to All. See BonaResponds.org for more.

What to bring? Space in vans may be tight, this is not an exhaustive list, but here are some recommendations:

A good attitude--by far the most important. We want hard working and flexible people who want to help. It will be fun even though it won't go as planned.
Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, workboots (ideally steel toed).
Gloves--leather is best IMO
Sun glasses/safety goggles
Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
Flashlight
Phone charger
Digital camera, charger
Towel
Toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
Water bottle
Granola bars etc for drive

You can meet us there! By all means.

BonaResponds Irene Response

2011-08-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

Yes we are helping....we have at least 2 vans that are going.

Work will be a mix of mucking out homes and tree removal. MUST say the actual counts etc are still very uncertain, but it looks like the work will be present for months. We will be updating as the week goes on but we are going somewhere! Sign up now:

Loading...

Conference call with NY VOAD
* last night 78 Red Cross Shelters...many closing as needs wane
* heard from groups in NYC, Long Island etc...

FEMA is sending 500 paid employees/contractors.

Good source for flood details:
Watershedpost.com

Notice Board Announcement

2011-08-29T06:56:00.001-04:00

BonaResponds meeting this Wednesday at 5:30 pm in the Murphy Auditorium. Purpose of the meeting is to introduce BonaResponds and to determine leadership structure. With many local projects, school collections, disaster responses, service trips, and our continued Haiti efforts pressing our time, we need many leaders and many people to help (Many hands make light work). We really need you to be there :) It will be short (out by 6pm).

ALSO while Hurricane Irene was less severe than feared, it has caused significant flooding and destruction in many parts of the Northeast and Mid Atlantic. We have received a couple of work requests and there is a VERY high probability of trip THIS coming weekend to help. Location to be determined based on need. Watch BonaResponds.org (follow us on twitter @BonaResponds) for updates as the week goes on. We'd love to have you help!

Almost 600,000 Haitans are still living in tents

2011-08-25T11:24:00.000-04:00

Wave of Illegal, Senseless and Violent Evictions Swells in Port-au-Prince | Truthout:

"The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported August 19, 2011 that there are about 594,800 people living in about 1000 displacement camps in Haiti. Most want to leave but have nowhere to go. Nearly 8000 people have been evicted in the last three months. Their report concludes by saying “With nearly 600,000 internally displaced persons still in camps, the scale of Haiti’s homeless problem remains daunting.”"

and then making it more personal:

"Mathias O is 34 years old. He is one of about 600,000 people still homeless from the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He lives with his wife and her 2 year old under a homemade shelter made out of several tarps. They sleep on the rocky ground inside. The side tarp walls are reinforced by pieces of cardboard boxes taped together. Candles provide the only inside light at night. There is no running water. No electricity. They live near a canal and suffer from lots of mosquitoes. There are hundreds of families living in tents beside him. This is the third tent community he has lived in since the earthquake."

How can you help? We are still collecting and shipping school supplies, soccer balls, small toys for children, musical instruments, and carpentry tools to multiple groups in Haiti. Also you can help send a student to school in HaitiScholarships.org.

Canadian Tornado

2011-08-23T23:19:00.000-04:00

Gage pointed this one out. Only about 5 hours from us. mmm...With school starting is it doable?

A new podcast! HaitianHappenings Cofounded by HaitiScholarships and BonaResponds!

2011-08-19T03:03:00.000-04:00

HaitianHappenings Podcast:

Welcome to the BRAND NEW HaitianHappenings podcast. It is brought to you by HaitiScholarships (http://HaitiScholarships.org) and BonaResponds (BonaResponds.org) (paid for by an anonymous outside donor so your donations were not used).

The purpose of the podcast is to give people a sense of what is happening in Haiti and to be able top follow up on their donations to see how they are helping Haitians.

We will try to do a different podcast weekly (maybe more, maybe less) depending on time and interest.

Kicking off the podcasts will be today's interview with Jean Kendy Estimphil of Leogane Haiti. I had the pleasure of meeting Jean Kendy last year in Haiti and he has helped both BonaResponds and HaitiScholarships immensely both in translation, being our person on the ground for distribution of supplies (the link is a set of pictures)/

Listen to the interview here

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Alison Thompson: WARNING: This Message Could Save Your Own Life

2011-08-17T13:47:00.000-04:00

Alison Thompson: WARNING: This Message Could Save Your Own Life:

Ok, so it may not save you. Her logic?

"...In Haiti where I work, most of the volunteers arrive and lose weight, get a suntan, meet hundreds of new friends, help save lives and some even fall in love. My intent is to get everyone out of therapy and out helping others. You soon forget about your own mind-pounding problems and realize that yours aren't so bad after all. "

Which is definitely true, but also sets you up for sadness when you leave Haiti (or wherever).

But that said, it is a great article on spontaneous volunteering that reminds us all that we can help. My favorite line (ok, maybe second favorite after the stripper comment;) ) was Allison speaking about her time at Ground Zero after 911:

" During those days, Fema (google them) kept visiting our little makeshift first aid station trying to shut us down. They would declare it was time for the government professionals to take over, but on their 3rd visit to us something very unique happened. The Fema agent gave us his usual spiel about sending the volunteers out of ground zero, but then he covered his badge and proclaimed, "please stay, we really need your help." This one sentence, less than a Twitter feed, helped define the next ten years of my life as I set out on volunteer adventures all over the world. Why? Because I knew I was needed even when the large aid groups got on TV told me I wasn't."

Which has been our experience again and again after disasters.

It also has a nice conclusion:

"Volunteering doesn't have to be overseas. Our country is struggling with so many people out of work. Its time to ask, 'how can I help?'"

One way to help is to come help BonaResponds! We do things every weekend and have 7 wheel chair ramps, 4 roofing jobs, a drywall job, and an addition planned locally not to mention work on local trails, collections for schools, and continued efforts to help in Haiti. Oh and planned trips to Buffalo NY, Camden NJ, and Tuscaloosa AL.

A "thank you" from Paula in Springfield Massachusetts

2011-07-20T17:56:00.000-04:00

It is always fun when we hear from the people we helped. In today's mail we got the following from Paula in Springfield Massachusetts:

"On June 1, 2011 a tornado ripped though my city, my neighborhood, and my home. It was devestating to se such destruction....although my home had minimal damage, it had 8 trees fall in my back yard. It was heartbreaking. But with your kind efforts and dedication, I was able to see some good through this destruction. Thanks to you and your group. Again Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. God bless all of you!!!"
Paula

Thank you Paule for taking time out of your recovery to let us know the efforts helped! So glad we could help!

A tribute to Chris Zahuta an All Hands Volunteer and example for us all

2011-07-19T16:53:00.000-04:00

This is one of the saddest blog articles in a while.

I will start with the "news"...Chris Zahuta of California a volunteer for All Hands in Leogane Haiti died from a fall. Here is the story from the Hands.org site: (reposted with permission)

"Remembering Chris Zahuta

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic loss of one of our brightest volunteers, Chris Zahuta, 20, from Santa Ynez, CA. Chris, who had been volunteering with us in Leogane, Haiti since June 6, worked tirelessly on our transitional schools program. He was respected and cherished by all and had built strong friendships with volunteers and community members alike. He took great joy in making a difference in the lives of Haitians, which was evident in his enthusiasm and energy. Tragically, on Sunday, July 17, Chris suffered severe head trauma after a serious fall. He was flown by helicopter to Port au Prince, then on to Miami by air ambulance, where he passed away. Chris’ sudden loss is deeply felt in Leogane, where community members have begun to light candles and place flowers outside the All Hands base.
In an email Chris sent to his mother on the 8th of June, he said, "today was so much fun working…I love the people and the area is like nothing you could ever imagine! I love it! I’m going to make it and change someone’s life! I love you mom and I miss you!"

Chris' mother, Christie has written the following:

“Our Son and brother Christopher Zahuta just spent 6 1/2 of the most amazing weeks of his life in Leogane, Haiti with All Hands Volunteers. When we took him to the airport on June 6, 2011 we expected to see him again on July 22, 2011. Sadly that was not to be. He accidentally fell and suffered a head injury which resulted in his death. But even with this horrific turn of events I do not regret him going in any away. He dreamed of doing this and helping others and making a difference in someone's life. He sent me many emails describing how amazing his time there was and the wonderful people he was meeting. Knowing that he was working on schools to help the children there was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. Now he is back in the states as we wait for the hospital to do what is necessary for organ donation. When he first got to Haiti he told me that he was going to make it and change someone's life! And now, as much as I want him with me, he is going to be changing even more lives. He was born December 13, 1990 and I had the honor of being his mother for more than 20 years”.
Christopher's Family (Christie Jeffers-mother)

All Hands pays tribute to this wonderful, hardworking young man, who volunteered with passion to help communities in need. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Chris' family and friends, and we share in their grief.
For further information please contact Stefanie Chang at stef@hands.org."

I would add that the thoughts and prayers of all of BonaResponds goes out to Chris' family. It is a sad time. We have worked with All Hands many times and several of us volunteered in Haiti with them last year. I confess I did not know Chris, but I feel like I lost a friend. Maybe it is because he was doing what we do, maybe because he was being the example we all need. Regardless it strikes close to home.

Please take some time to remember Chris' life. But also do not forget that he died helping. He died where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do.

Life is full of risks and rewards. Helping others, be it in Haiti or in your own home town, is the same. Do not be scared away from it. Do not stay away from Haiti. Accidents can happen anywhere. We can all learn from this death. We can remember to take precautions, but in the end, bad things can still happen. But, like Chris, we must make the most of our time on earth to make a positive impact.

I am sure that Chris would want all of us to pull together to help even more, not less. To make a difference, the difference that Chris was making. The difference that Chris' actions will continue to make.

And finally to Chris himself. I do not know if you can read this, but thank you for being the example. For showing us that each of us can make a difference. Your death, while tragic and sad, will not be in vain. Your actions will live on through all of your many friends, family, and your All Hands family as well. The students in the schools that you helped to build, the Haitians who you met on the streets, will all be richer because of your actions. Thank you.

Haiti death toll: The science of measuring civilian death tolls is controversial and crucial - Los Angeles Times

2011-07-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

Wow. I knew there was much disagreement as to how many died, but never had seen an estimate so low. (and yes I realize in any case, many many many died.)

Haiti death toll: The science of measuring civilian death tolls is controversial and crucial - Los Angeles Times:

"Within days of the event, Haitian authorities estimated that more than 230,000 people had been killed and another 300,000 injured. A year later, the prime minister claimed instead that 316,000 citizens had died. Few outsiders questioned the numbers or their underlying methodologies at the time, despite the statistics appearing to have been plucked out of thin air.

In June, a consultancy group commissioned by the U.S. Agency for International Development offered a dramatically reduced death toll. The authors of the study claimed that between 46,000 and 85,000 Haitians had been killed and another 850,000 assembled in camps. Although the numbers were considerably more conservative than the Haitian government's figures, the authors did not adequately explain how they were generated.

There are reasons to be cautious about both the high and the low estimates."

Bigger than football: Study shows sports can help communities recover from disaster

2011-07-12T13:59:00.000-04:00

FYIBigger than football: Study shows sports can help communities recover from disaster:

"'Sports, and by extension sports media, can be a powerful force for good. It can bring people together. It can provide hope, even in the midst of great destruction,' says Dr. Ken Zagacki, co-author of a paper describing the research and a professor of communication at NC State. 'But we have to be careful that we don't use sports to gloss over real problems. We don't want to 'move on' from tragedies like Katrina when real social problems remain.'"

FYI after Katrina BonaResponds collected enough softball and baseball equipment to outfit more than 2 leagues near Bay St. Louis/Waveland MS, and after the Haitian Earthquake we helped to send about 300 soccer balls to Haiti. (and we are still accepting donations of soccer or basketballs!)

Needs from Haiti

2011-07-05T13:53:00.000-04:00

Image by Bona_Responds via FlickrI have heard from some groups in Haiti. First of all they have not yet received our last shipment. I will have to check on that. We used a different way to ship this time and it seemingly is taking longer (but was cheaper!).

Things they asked for:

More school supplies (really loved the calculators some sent last time). Also pens, crayons, pencils, etc.
Basketballs and soccer balls were also mentioned. (Since the quake we have sent about 300 soccer balls)
A basketball net (I wonder if they meant rim and net?)
Musical instruments (any kind, but really want Saxaphone, trumpet) and sheet music
A new trade school would LOVE tools. Hammers, drills, tape measures, etc., pretty much anything. I requested pictures of what they have now and will share when I receive them.

Items can be dropped off at Park and Shop Allegany (24 N 1st) or to the upstairs business secretary in Murphy Building on the West side of St. Bonaventure.

Also our spin-off HaitiScholarships.org is trying to fund up to 50 students to go to school in Haiti Classes start there this fall and any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Volunteers are the new city employees - USATODAY.com

2011-06-22T23:01:00.000-04:00

Volunteers are the new city employees - USATODAY.com:

"In an era of dwindling revenue and slashed spending, volunteerism is becoming a crucial part of city operations and a strategy to solve its most pressing problems.

The goal: Turn piecemeal civic efforts into organized citywide campaigns that concentrate volunteer power on programs that benefit the community at large.

'It's brilliant in its simplicity,' says Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. 'What we've all come to realize is that there are many folks who want to give their time, want to give their talent but, in a lot of cases, cities struggle with how they want to utilize that talent.'

Gee, we are definitely on this this one! From cleaning parks, painting fire hydrants, painting schools, etc.

The secret of happiness (yes, now you know) « Pro-Human Extremist

2011-06-21T08:06:00.001-04:00

An great look at how altruism may actually be the key...and also selfish.

The secret of happiness (yes, now you know) « Pro-Human Extremist:

"Caring for and serving others brings joy and peace of mind greater than anything we get from indulging ourselves. A life dedicated merely to self-gratification, however successful it appears to be, is ultimately hollow and unrewarding.

Why is this? Because that is how we are made—that is our nature. The human species has evolved by natural selection so that each of us has a sincere capacity for altruism. It’s not always uppermost in our minds, and we don’t always act on it, but at bottom we do care about other people and want them to be well. Helping others is what gives our lives meaning. And without an opportunity to do so, we come to feel that our lives are pointless, and we become dissatisfied. All of that is a product not merely of social conditioning but of our biological nature.

Read the rest of it...It is worth it!

As many of you know Joel (the author) is a biology professor at SBU.

A major thank you to Holy Cross Parish and Springfield college!

2011-06-21T07:58:00.000-04:00

A major major thank you to Holy Cross Parish and the Springfield College for providing us food and a place to stay. The accommodations were EXCELLENT!

It should be noted that Springfield College was also hit by the tornado. Here is a post they had following the disaster:

Restoration, Transformational Commitment Present as Springfield College Recovers from Tornado:

"“The College has sustained millions of dollars in damage, primarily focused on residence halls in the southwest quadrant of campus,” said President Richard B. Flynn. “Fortunately the structural reports for our buildings were very good, and we have been given the go-ahead to proceed with restoration. Smaller repairs around campus are underway, and we have an aggressive plan to assure that those residence halls that were damaged will be ready for occupancy fall semester.

'We’ve been cleaning up and now we’re moving forward,” he continued. “In the meantime, we are aware of how fortunate we were, and are thankful there were no injuries to students, faculty, or staff.”

Hundreds of the College’s century-old trees were lost, including some very special specimen trees on the Naismith Green. Flynn expressed commitment to planting new trees. “They will be our gift to future generations of Springfield College students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” he said.

Flynn acknowledged the outpouring of support from the Springfield College family. “Moments after the tornados had passed through the area, Springfield College faculty, staff, and students, our extended family of alumni, and many others reached out to the College with expressions of concern and offers of help,” he said.

In fact, students who were anxious to help pitched in quickly by assisting with clean up of the campus, and then turned their attention to serving those in need in the community. Volunteers made and delivered to neighbors more than 700 sandwiches and 30 to 40 cases of water. They also helped by engaging neighborhood children in activities so that their parents could focus on the cleanup.

'BonaResponds' Gets People Involved - WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA

2011-06-21T00:17:00.000-04:00

'BonaResponds' Gets People Involved - WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA:

Here is a video of Jenna Hagist (a Springfield TV reporter) who came to volunteer with us today:

"A group of students and professors from St. Bonaventure University in New York that has been spending their time here in Springfield helping families cleanup from the June 1st tornadoes. They call themselves BonaResponds, and now I'm an official member.

'Honestly it's the greatest feeling in the world. I enjoy every minute of what I have done so far and working with a bunch of people I just met,' said volunteer Jessica Misiaszek.

This cleanup group was created right after Hurricane Katrina and since then they've responded to disasters in 14 different states.

'It's been great even though we've been at this since 2006, this is now the third generation of kids we've had come through. They are still wanting to help,' said Bonaventure University Professor Jerry Godbout.

College students help tornado victims

2011-06-20T00:21:00.000-04:00

College students help tornado victims

FOX25 from Boston:

College students help tornado victims: MyFoxBOSTON.com

BonaResponds Helps Clean Up Springfield - WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA

2011-06-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

BonaResponds Helps Clean Up Springfield - WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA:

Pretty cool! The reporter will be coming to volunteer with us! :)

Weekend plans Springfield MA tornado recovery

2011-06-15T17:16:00.001-04:00

What we know:

We will be working in Springfield Massachusetts from Friday AM to Tues PM.
We would love others to come help with us! We are open to all. (EVERYONE must fill out this form--NO EXCEPTIONS. We will have the form at job sites as well.)
We plan on starting all workdays from the Holy Cross Parish Parking lot (221 Plum Tree Road) Friday and Saturday work begins at 9:00. Sunday (9:30). Monday and Tues 9:00.
After work on Saturday and Sunday we will be getting together back at the church (6pm on Saturday, 5 pm on Sunday) for a meeting/meal.
If you have tools (wheel barrels, rakes, chainsaws) please bring them. All volunteers should wear gloves and boots. We also recommend long sleeves and long pants as well.
There are jobs for everyone. From cutting trees, to hauling limbs to the curb, raking lawns, tarping roofs, and working in shelters. Also scouting jobs, feeding, etc. So plan on helping!

We are staying at the Church of Christ at 61 Upper Church Road in WEST Springfield. You will be sleeping on the floor so bring a sleeping bag and maybe a pad.

Watch BonaResponds.org and the BonaResponds blog for future updates.

You can sign up to volunteer:

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BonaResponds Massachusetts trip 2

2011-06-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

This past weekend 8 BonaResponds volunteers (several who had just returned from our 2 week trip to Alabama) traveled to Massachusetts to help in their tornado cleanup. The volunteers found a region that was hit hard by the tornadoes and not equipped to handle the thousands and thousands of downed trees and destroyed homes. With so much work to do, we are going back! and want you to come with us...

The trip will be from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. We will be going to Springfield MA. It is open to everyone.

Cost is $5 for a t-shirt. Meals and a place to stay are included.

You can meet us there.
You can come for a fraction of the time.
You will have a good time.
You will make a positive difference!

What to bring?

A good attitude--by far the most important. We want hard working and flexible people who want to help. It will be fun even though it won't go as planned.
Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, work boots (ideally steel toed).
Gloves--leather is best IMO
Sun glasses/safety goggles
Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
Flashlight
Phone charger
Digital camera, charger
Towel
Toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
Water bottle
Granola bars etc for drive

If you are local to the Massachusetts area and can bring wheel barrels and rakes, it would be a big help.

To sign up and for more information please see http://BonaResponds.org

But please come.

Biggest need: drivers, skilled chain saw users, leaders, you!

all volunteers must sign this form:
http://bonaresponds.org/waiver.pdf

An update on our weekend in Springfield MA (including virtual paper plate awards)

2011-06-13T12:45:00.003-04:00

A small, but hard working crew of 8 BonaResponds volunteers traveled to Springfield Massachusetts to help clean up after their recent tornadoes. Some notes on the trip:

The damage is extensive. Many many trees down and hundreds of homes destroyer. Unlike Alabama, most of the destroyed homes that we saw are still standing (not blown entirely away).
We did not travel east of Springfield but from what we heard the damage there is even worse.
We cleaned out 9 yards. It is hard to estimate exactly how much we saved the home owners, but one of the jobs had been quoted at $4,200 and it was a pretty average job. If that price is an accurate representation of the "average" job, we contributed well over $30,000 services. Personally I think it is a bit high, but I am comfortable with saying we contributed $25,000.
We teamed with many quite a few local residents (and hopefully future BonaResponds volunteers). These included a large number of home owners (it is always a treat to work along side those who live there--it was one of the things I really missed in Alabama). We also worked with parishioners of the Holy Cross Parish in Springfield.
We had 5 chain saws going much of the time. This allowed us to break up and tackle multiple jobs at once.
We largely went up and down the area near Surrey and Agnes Streets. Indeed, on each neighbor after neighbor came and we went house to house. (Reminiscent of our very non Katrina trip in 2006 for the October Surprise Snow Storm in Buffalo as neighbors helped neighbors).
Many neighborhoods are completely unliveable. Not as bad as Tuscaloosa, but more similar than one would think based on news coverage.
There will be work for a long time to come. Just in Springfield, we had to turn down many jobs.
I hate to begin thanking people as I will miss someone, but would be remiss without trying, so BIG thank you's to Sr. Cindy and Br Bob for helping to arrange jobs, showers, food, and volunteers. And also to Gareth Flannery and the West Springfield Church of Christ for allowing us to stay in their church. And finally Jason Sears who from Florida did more to assure this trip happened than anyone. From contacting people on the ground, to arranging a place for us to stay, to constantly reminding me of the need for us there, the trip would likely not have occurred without Jason.
It was about a 7.5 hour drive, which while less than our recent Greenville and Tuscaloosa trips is still a non trivial jaunt.
Driving through Springville to leave I got a call from Jay Starr. Jay is a friend from our trips to Biloxi where she was probably the best volunteer coordinator (organizer) I have seen. She kept track of multiple job sites, where people were, etc. I had not seen her since I think Iowa in 2007 after their floods. Anyways the call went something like this:

Me: "Hey long time"
Jay:"Any chance you are driving a tan van through Springfield MA?"
Me: "uh, do you have camera's spying on us"
Jay:" No, you just drove my Bill Driscoll and me. We are in Springfield for tornado recovery efforts too."

Highlight of today (Monday-when we are back).. text message from Kelley a woman we helped yesterday (interestingly the job, which was extensive, arose when one of the volunteers asked to use a bathroom and saw the damage in the yard.)

"God bless the angels in Brown shirts that descended on my neighborhood last weekend. they have touched my heart beyond words. Thank you !!!!!"

We want to go back. Looking at distance and schedules, there are not many good times. It seems our best shot to make a huge difference is this Thursday to Wednesday. We will be looking for a place to stay in Springfield and leaders. Especially with chain saw experience. If we go (and it looks like AllHands will also be going) you will be able to come for as long or as short as you want. Housing and food will be free. The memories, new friends, and fun will last a life time! You should seriously CHANGE your schedule to come. It will be worth it.

We did not do paper plate awards, but if I had assigned them:

Jive: The "Jay Starr organizer" and "I can carry anything award" to Jive (Dan Michael). He somehow can organize even my messy paperwork and would not stop (especially on Saturday) hauling debris from multiple sites at once.
Banger: The "Hipster most likely to make millions with new designs for safety glasses"award. With luck the glasses block amber lights.
Luis: Loverboy Award He was enamored with beautiful women at nearly every site and had an unusual desire to impress everyone by using the new longer chain saw.
Jeff: He gets two:

Paul Bunyan Award. Every time I turned around he was dropping another damaged tree.
Dance Party award: for breaking into Dance every time KidzBop comes on.

James: Short and Sweet award. He came, was morning MVP for his work on getting all the saws going, and then had to leave after one day, but his work on saws continued on.
Jerry: the unsung hero award. Never in the spotlight, but constantly taking logs that are larger than he is out to the curb, driving, and sawing.
Larry: The Renaissance Lumberjack. I have traveled to many jobs with Larry and I do not remember him every talking on so many many subjects: From Haiti to New Orleans, from music to movies, books to Buffalo, And literally everything else. He made the miles fly by.

Not necessarily storm related:

The "Yellow car" "yellow motorcycle" " yellow boat" and a rare "yellow Jet Ski" game continues to thrill!
It is a KidzBop World. 'nuff said.
First song on the radio (after KidzBop CD) was Mean. Last song on radio as I pulled off campus was Mean.

(pictures will follow--I left the camera in the van):

Volunteering in Massachusetts

2011-06-10T11:32:00.000-04:00

What we know:

There is work. We have confirmed this numerous times. Some of the work is not yet lined up, but several people on the ground (including Bill of AllHands) and have confirmed there is much work for us in and around the Springfield area.

We will be leaving SBU at 5:00pm (meeting to packup at 4:15 at storage to pack).

We have at least a van and a car (2) plus James (former leader) is meeting us there.

Tonight (it may change tomorrow) we will be staying at the West Springfield Church of Christ
61 Upper Church St. West Springfield, MA 01089. We will be sleeping on the floor, so plan accordingly.

It is a disaster zone. Come prepared. You will need boots, jeans, gloves, sun block, and a camera ;)

We will be working from 8AM to 6 PM on Saturday. Sunday we will likely end at 5. We are open to all. If you have a job for us in the area, please let us know by emailing BonaResponds@gmail.com or calling 585.376.0231.

We will have at least 3 chain saws but if you have others you can bring. We do have a hard fast rule that you must wear chaps when using a chain saw for us.

Chiefs, Rams lend hand to tornado recovery effort in Joplin - Peter King - SI.com

2011-06-02T23:00:00.000-04:00

Chiefs, Rams lend hand to tornado recovery effort in Joplin - Peter King - SI.com:

"In 1994, when Matt Cassel was 11, his home was at the epicenter of the Northridge earthquake in California. Water from the inground swimming pool came crashing into the Cassel home, and a huge marble pillar pinned his father, Greg, beneath it. The family home was condemned. That's a heck of a thing for an 11-year-old to cope with.

That was big. But last Thursday was bigger. Much bigger. Matt Cassel and his new teammate, wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, drove two hours from Kansas City to Joplin, where a tornado the previous Sunday had torn a ruinous two-mile-by-six-mile path through what once was Americana.

'It was the most shocking thing I've seen in my life, and I lived through being in the epicenter of a major earthquake,'' Cassel said over the weekend from his Kansas City home. 'The devastation is like a nuclear bomb went off. Huge trees, 100 years old, ripped out by the roots. A car thrown up into the middle of a tree. It's one of those things you can't imagine unless you're there.''

Look for a small response coming later this month from BonaResponds members from the Dallas area. Stay tuned.

It's OK to Cry, A poem from Bob

2011-06-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

Bob McGrath is a 1950 SBU alum who is as hard of worker as any of our volunteers. He worked with us in Galveston Texas after Hurricane Ike and recently in Tuscaloosa Alabama after their tornadoes. He is picture of him (and a group) at Mr. Beesely's house in Holt (near Tuscaloosa) where we worked for most of a day (partially with a crew from EWTN). Bob is back row with green Star cap on.

While a very hard worker, he is also a poet. Here is his most recent work on BonaResponds:

It's OK to cry when the work is done

April Twenty Seventh Two Thousand and Eleven
People in Alabama all looked up to heaven,
Tornados were approaching, the sirens they did scream
         One struck with such a fury few folks have ever seen.

The need was overwhelming and many people died
         The folks in Alabama were sustained by their pride,
Five thousand houses damaged, many beyond repair
         Emotions ranged from hope and faith to gloom and despair

Many of the people who were witnessing the scene
         Sat in their living room by their television screen,
Most everyone agreed that the people needed aid
         That help in this disaster just could not be delayed.

A few college students up in Olean, New York
         Said we can all do something or we can sit and talk,
St. Bonaventure students were joined by friends and grads
         The college students rushed to help, joined by moms and dads.

Bona Responds was on the move, young and old alike
         Their thoughts were with the victims, just like Hurricane Ike,
The call went out, tweets were sent, off to Alabama,
Everyone involved feared a frightful panorama.

Vans were packed with students, a professor there to lead
         The drive was eighteen hours to help the folks in need,
They drove to Tuscaloosa with a rake, a tool, a glove
         The main thing that they brought with them; lots and lots of love.

Trees were cut and hauled away, debris was sifted through
         Tears and hugs were shared by all, with story telling too,
Chain saws buzzed throughout the day, and long into the night
         At sunrise the group set out as soon as it was light.

Clearing up the land was an important thing to do
         But lifting people’s spirits made the agenda too,
The Bonnies students worked real hard, also had some fun
All agreed, It’s OK To Cry When The Work Is Done.

Music video to raise awareness about Alabama...

2011-05-18T22:38:00.000-04:00

2009 SBU grad Eric Smith (he went with us to New Orleans in 2006 on the "big trip") helped put this fund raiser together....in his words:

"we got a group of musicians together a couple of Sundays ago and did our best to give back the only way we could all the way up here without being able to travel down south, and that was by creating this video to raise awareness, a la "We Are the World." "

Sweet Home Alabama: A Performance to Aid Disaster Relief from CitizenMusic on Vimeo.

Help-Alabama.org

"a super-group of musicians from half a dozen New York bands released a music video tribute to raise funds for disaster relief efforts in Alabama. The ten devoted yankees got together at Brooklyn music venue and art space Cameo to record a collaborative, semi-improvisational cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic 'Sweet Home Alabama' and began circulating the video online to raise awareness and get listeners to care, give and help."

From All Hands Tornado Assessment - a set on Flickr

2011-05-16T00:40:00.001-04:00

USA: Tornado Assessment - a set on Flickr:

New president takes power in struggling Haiti - World news - Haiti - msnbc.com

2011-05-14T11:27:00.000-04:00

A big day in Haiti.

New president takes power in struggling Haiti - World news - Haiti - msnbc.com:

"Charismatic pop star-turned-president Michel Martelly takes over Haiti on Saturday promising to rebuild its earthquake-devastated capital, develop the long-neglected countryside and build a modern army.

The 50-year-old performer known to Haitians as 'Sweet Micky' was swept to power in March 20 presidential runoff by Haitians tired of past leaders who failed to provide even basic services, such as decent roads, water and electricity in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country"

Remember we are still collecting school supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, calculators), small toys, soccer balls, sheet music, used lap top computers, and musical instruments for schools in Haiti. Also in conjunction with HaitiScholarships we want to get more Haitians in schools! For less a dollar a day a student can be enrolled in school. Get involved! No matter where you are, no matter who you are, you can make a difference.

Parents of graduating St. Bonaventure senior donate new sign marking woods and trails named in memory of beloved priest

2011-05-13T16:48:00.000-04:00

Parents of graduating St. Bonaventure senior donate new sign marking woods and trails named in memory of beloved priest: "The sign was dedicated in a small ceremony Tuesday attended by Tylenda, Ogilvie and their son, as well as Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., St. Bonaventure’s vice president for Franciscan Mission, and Dr. James Mahar Jr., associate professor of finance and founder/coordinator of BonaResponds, the university’s disaster-relief organization. BonaResponds maintains the trails through Bob’s Woods.

Here are well over 100 pictures of the making the trails. (throughout the summer we are often looking for people to help mow the trails, so if you are local and would like to help, just let us know! :))

Chain Saw Injury Statistics

2011-05-11T11:47:00.000-04:00

Chain Saw Injury Statistics:

"According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission there were over 28,500 chain saw injuries in 1999. More than 36% were injuries to the legs and knees.

The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches and the average medical cost...can be estimated to be over $12,000.00."

Why we require chaps for using a chain saw. Also steel toed boots are HIGHLY recommended.

Sign up for Alabama

2011-05-09T10:30:00.002-04:00

Still getting requests saying they can not find where to sign up...

the vans for the first week are getting full...

that said we'd love to have people meet us there! No affiliation to SBU needed...only a willingness to work and a good attitude :)

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Alabama Details

2011-05-07T10:41:00.001-04:00

Have had many people ask for details Here you go:

We will be working in Alabama for at least 2 weeks, but people can come and help for as short of time as they want. We will get there on the 17th. We will be leaving Memorial Day (but this MAY be extended).
We are staying at the Wesley Center adjacent to the University of Alabama. The address is 505 9th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. They do have some showers. Sleeping arrangements will be sleeping bags. There is a nearby Catholic church as well for those who would like to go to Mass.
If you are flying in, fly into Birmingham airport. We can arrange transportation to and from the airport.
There is a chance we will be working in a few surrounding communities as well, but it depends on the number of volunteers we get and the amount of transportation we have.
Food is included. You will have to buy a t-shirt so we can all identify ourselves. The cost is $5. If you would like a second shirt, it will cost $10.
Vans will leave SBU on Monday the 16th at 8AM (we will need help packing them on the 15th after graduation).
Please take work clothes: boots are required. We also encourage you to being work gloves. All volunteers must have had a tetanus shot in the last 7 years.
Transportation will be an issue, so if you are meeting us in Alabama and can help drive, that would be great!
You will want some spending money for there and in transport.
The first van will leave to go back on Sunday. It will turn around and come back to Alabama on the Monday the 23rd.
If you want to stay longer, we can arrange places for you to stay after we leave.

What to bring:
Space in vans may be tight, this is not an exhaustive list, but here are some recommendations:

A good attitude--by far the most important. We want hard working and flexible people who want to help. It will be fun even though it won't go as planned.
Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, workboots (ideally steel toed).
Gloves--leather is best IMO
Sun glasses/safety goggles
Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
Flashlight
Phone charger
Digital camera, charger
Towel
Toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
Water bottle
Granola bars etc for drive

Video from food packing event

2011-05-06T00:10:00.002-04:00

I must not have posted this to the blog. Today when I was giving a presentation I went to look for it and it was not here...so here it is now! Thanks to Mike for doing a GREAT job on the video!

Packaging the Food for Hatti Children from Michael Kintner on Vimeo.

An update from Ringgold GA (From Larry and Bonnie)

2011-05-03T08:10:00.000-04:00

Larry is on our Advisory Board. He was in Biloxi in September of 2005 and he and Bonnie made many trips to the Gulf Coast and have been with us on many trips and local events. They were already in the South when the tornadoes hit last week, so they went to Ringgold GA to help.

I spoke with Larry tonight. Here are a few of his comments and some pictures they sent.

Larry:

"It is as devastated as anything I have seen. Even after Katrina."

The town of about 3000...many buildings just gone...where the tornado touched down there is just basements left. Away from it you have damaged homes and then further away you have roof damage. The whole valley has trees blown down."

"Tell the [potential] volunteers that they are needed. Alabama is supposedly worse than this, and this is bad."

"They [the volunteers] have to know to be prepared. This is bad."

New BonaResponds video from Phil

2011-05-02T10:33:00.002-04:00

Phil made a new BonaResponds video for one of his classes. Here it is, nice job!

BonaResponds Alabama Email update (send Sunday)

2011-05-02T00:30:00.000-04:00

Alabama needs your help!

This past week a series of tornadoes swept through the American Southeast. The storms skilled over 300 people (and many more are still missing), left paths if destruction that are almost unimaginable.

Hardest hit was Alabama with at least 13 confirmed tornadoes and over 200 killed. The tornadoes left major swaths of destruction that look like out of a doomsday movie.

Here are but a few of the pictures and videos (more are on our blog.

Tuscaloosa (home of the University of Alabama) was perhaps the worst struck community. Not only were the storms very strong, the tornadoes were wide, stayed on the ground for a long time, and hit a populated area.

Here is a video from helicopter coverage from Alabama's ABC 33/40:

From the New York Times on Sunday May 1, 2011:

“Now we’re getting a handle on exactly what we are facing,” said Mayor Walt Maddox of Tuscaloosa, “the nightmarish truth that this is an utter disaster.” :

I could go on and on. Maybe I should. Maybe we need to hear more of the stories. But for now, I am going to be done. It gets depressing to know that there is so so so much destruction. But if you want more however on the disaster, I recommend you browse AL.com.

I ask you to do me a favor howerver. Stop and imagine your town, your campus, your house literally blown away. In some cases you may have lost loved ones, in all cases you know your life will never be the same.

Even if you are among the well prepared and have insurance and money set aside for just such events, there is a feeling of helplessness overwhelms you: there is so much to do. You have no power, maybe no water, and in many cases no where to call home anymore. The places you go for solace your parks, your churches, and your gyms are wrecked. Your car is upside down in a ditch two blocks over from where you left it. Your bank is gone. City hall is gone.

What do you do? Where do you start? How can you do it? Now imagine the same thing happening to the elderly, the poor, or the handicapped. How can they do it?

That is why we are going. We can help. We can pick up debris, tarp roofs, cut up trees, and much more. We will bring our tools, we will bring volunteers from a far that will bring new energy to an area that by the time we get there will be tired from weeks of work and stress, and we will bring a reminder that others care.

In a sense, our picking up debris, will be helping to pick up spirits of those who survived the tornadoes. And that will be our most valuable job.

Won't you help? We will have a camp in the Tuscaloosa area from May 16th to May 30th (at least). The exact location is still being worked out, but we will be there. You can come for a day, a week, or the entire time.

We will have at least one or two vans leaving St.Bonaventure with people and supplies.

The cost of the van from SBU will be $100. Lodging (bring sleeping bags!) will be free. Food there will be free. SO come on down and help. Not only will you be helping others, you will be helping yourself. I guarantee you will walk away with a better perspective on life and also many new friends.

All BonaResponds trips are open to all, so come on and help! (under 18 must be accompanied by a parent).

Sign up here on our google form.

We can get work for people. From drivers (we will pick people up at the Birmingham Airport), to cooking, to paperwork, to removing damaged trees) you are needed.

Want to help but can't come? We will need money for supplies, gas, and food. You can donate online (just be sure to say it is for BonaResponds in the "Other" designation pull down) or can mail a check to BonaResponds Box BY St. Bonaventure NY 14778.

I hope to see many of you in Alabama! :)

thanks!

jim

PS. Please forward this!

As many of you know, this will not be our first relief trip to Alabama. We were also there in 2007 in the aftermath of the horrible tornado that hit the Enterprise region (including hitting the high school). To this day, that trip has helped to shape my thinking on disaster response as much as even Katrina. Here are some pictures of that trip and a blog article entitled Ant People remains one of my all time favorite BonaResponds' stories.)

A look around at news from Alabama

2011-05-01T22:07:00.002-04:00

South Struggles to Assess Toll - WSJ.com:

"Federal officials visited Birmingham Sunday to view the beginnings of a storm cleanup and rebuilding effort. 'I don't think words can fairly express the level of devastation here,' said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, touring the devastated area of Pratt City, a mostly black working-class neighborhood that was hard hit by the tornado.

Finding housing for the thousands of newly homeless throughout the Southeast 'will be the single most critical part of the recovery,' said Shaun Donovan, who heads the Department of Housing and Urban Development. About 700 families remained in shelters across Alabama on Sunday, but 'we know that there are hundreds and hundreds more who are with relatives' who will soon swell the ranks of those who need long-term living arrangements, Mr. Donovan said.

Scary piece on the scope of injuries from CNN (see also the video)

But like nearly every doctor in Tuscaloosa, orthopedic surgeon Brian Claytor didn't need his beeper to tell him to head to the trauma center.
Claytor said he didn't know what to expect when he arrived at DCH Regional Medical Center on Wednesday.
"The emergency room was just overflowing," said Claytor, 38. "I was just in shock when I walked in to see the sheer volume of injured people and the severity of the injuries."
Patients filled the hallway and every available room. Injuries ranged from minor cuts, lacerations and broken ankles to severe trauma from debris that sliced patients' heads, chests and abdomens."

AL.com continues to amaze me with their coverage (mark it down now, they will win a Pulitzer). In this article they point out the importance of volunteers:

"ARAB, Alabama - Governor Robert Bentley said Sunday that Alabama is a Level 1 disaster area comparable to Katrina and the World Trade Center after 9/11.

Touring storm damage near Arab Sunday, Bentley praised the state's volunteer spirit and said even more volunteers are needed in the days and weeks ahead. Call "211" to volunteer, or sign up for Madison County duty beginning today at the First Baptist Church on Governors Drive."

WTOK reminds us that many schools are helping: (Psst...we're coming too ;) )

"Dearman says she got the idea when she learned of a group of Auburn alumni offering aid to tornado victims in the area.
Other student groups have pledged support to Tuscaloosa, including students at Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina, and even Penn State."

WDAM tells us the same about students at Alabama:

"Students from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, are working together to help pick up the pieces following this week's devastating tornadoes.
With nearly 12,000 pounds of food and more than 100 volunteers, the University Greek Relief fund started Wednesday night when a few students saw a need and a came up with a simple plan to help: a hot meal."

Update: this from the Los Angeles times is amazing! Before and after "slider" shots

This Weekend Saturday and Sunday

2011-04-30T01:15:00.000-04:00

Want to help this weekend? We will be working in Allegany on Saturday (leaving Murphy at 10:30) but the work is less than 2 miles from campus so if you come late, not a big worry.

THank Sunday you can go to a free concert and help Japanese recovery efforts. From Laura Peterson:

"Laura Peterson, a lecturer in piano and music history at St. Bonaventure, will team up with colleague Julia Tunstall from Pitt-Bradford to present a flute and piano concert — Pas De Two: Flute and Piano Duo — inspired by dance forms.

Admission to the concert is free; donations will be collected for relief in Japan.

The program begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1,at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Olean. The duo will be performing pieces by French composers Faure, Debussy and Godard, “Orchestra Dance Suite in b minor” by Bach, “Hungarian Dances” by Bartok, and songs and dances from the opera “Carmen” by Bizet."

Alabama Trip...A few more details

2011-04-29T13:12:00.000-04:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeWhat we know:

* BonaResponds is going to Alabama to help people recover from the devastating tornadoes that hit the region. The trip is tentatively planned for May 15th to May 28th BUT we are flexible and people can come and go whenever they want. (indeed it may not start until the 16th and may get done early if there is not work.)

* We need volunteers. The trip will cost $100 to cover the cost of gas and food. Several friends have lined up places for us to stay while in and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It is a 15 hour (953 mile) drive from SBU.

* Two weeks in "Tornado time" is a long long time. So we can not tell specifically where we will be working but it will be in the Tuscaloosa area.

* If you want to fly, fly to Birmingham, AL (BHM-Birmingham Intl.). Ideally you buy your tickets through GoodShop and list BonaResponds as your charity so a small percentage helps to fund BonaResponds. We will try to arrange ground transportation for you to and from the airport but can not guarantee zero waiting.

* We will be doing whatever is needed. Likely this will mean "tree work" but in two weeks much can change and it could be helping to rebuild, build fences for farmers, or whatever is needed to help the people back on their feet.

* We need to have an idea of when people want to go and how many. There is a sign up here. To hold a place in a van, we need a $50 non refundable deposit. Contact BonaResponds@gmail.com if you have further questions.

* As always, our view is that it is better to go and not be needed, than to not go and leave people who needed our help. Please bring with you a positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible.

* Here is a waiver/release that must be signed by all volunteers.

* All BonaResponds events are open to everyone. So if you would like to help, come help! If you can stay for a day, a week, or the entire time. GREAT! All skills are needed. From drivers, to people who can use chain saws, to people who can put roofs on, to people who can take pictures, to people to cook, and pretty much everything else. Many hands make light work and you all have something to offer. So please come and lend a hand!

BonaResponds is going to Alabama and you can come help!

2011-04-29T02:45:00.000-04:00

Details will be coming soon, but we will be going to help in recovery efforts from the recent tornadoes.

We will leave after finals and after graduation on May 15th. Ideally the trip will be 2 weeks but we can help arrange transport for a fraction of the time as well.

Please let us know if you have interest in helping here.

Here is a raw video (from Helicopter) showing some of the damage. Staggering. Sad. I have responded to several tornadoes and have never seen such damage from any of them. It reminds me of Greenville Kansas but it hit a much broader area.

Any contacts in the Pulaski VA area?

2011-04-13T02:22:00.002-04:00

By no means are we committing to it, but the destruction looks severe and we should consider going...maybe over Easter Break?

Books for Barranco Belize

2011-04-08T12:17:00.001-04:00

Where in the world is Barranco? It is in Belize in Central America. Here are some pictures of the area.

Why are we sending books there? Clearly because they are reading them! But also because our former student leader and long time BonaResponds volunteer Laura McDowell is there as part of the Peace Corps.

Here is what she sent yesterday:

Books for Barranco

Buiti binafi from Barranco! My name is Laura McDowell, and I am a 2009 SBU graduate. For the past year I have been serving with Peace Corps Belize, and am working with a small primary school in a Garifuna village.

One of my most effective projects last year was getting each classroom a small bookshelf, and a few books to put on it. The new books have dramatically improved literacy in our school, but our readers are running out of material!

You can help! Send books and BonaResponds will work with us to get the books to the school.

PLEASE SEND:

*New or gently used*

Picture books

Dictionaries

Thesauruses

Chapter books

Leveled readers

Teacher textbooks

Reference books

PLEASE do NOT send

Outdated textbooks or reference books

Books about US heroes or holidays (BR addition: we will send these to US schools if you do give them)

Old books you wouldn’t like to see in a US classroom

Books can be Mailed to or dropped off at Allegany Park and Shop 24 North First St. Allegany NY

Or to BonaResponds, 231 Murphy Building, St. Bonaventure NY 14778

(or drop off there or to Jen Spencer the business assistant upstairs in Murphy building (SE corner of building).

thanks everyone!

(remember we are also collecting school supplies (pencils, crayons, etc) for Haiti and US schools as well as soccer balls, basketballs, and musical instruments for Haiti.)

BonaResponds' Wishlists: for others and for us.

2011-04-07T13:37:00.000-04:00

I had a donor ask me what we needed the other day, so figured I will put up a new wish list, but the biggest thing we always need is More Volunteers.

Many of the problems/shortages we have can be solved with more volunteers. We do things most weekends but there is no need to be at every one, or even the majority of them, but come out when you can. It really will make a difference!

Items for others:

School supplies. From used pencils, crayons, pens to calculators, notebooks, and even used notebook computers. We have people both in the US and in Haiti who anxiously await our shipments. They can be dropped off at any time at 231 Murphy on the SBU campus (or leave with the Business Secretary Jen Spencer upstairs (on the SE corner of the building), or dropped off at the Allegany Park and Shop.
Children's Books. Again these will be going to both people in the US as well internationally. The next shipment will be going to a school in Belize where former BonaResponds leader Laura McDowell is now volunteering.
Musical instruments and sheet music. A Haitian volunteer (Robinson) has started an afterschool program for children in Leogane to learn music. He is doing it for free so if you have any used musical instruments (he would especially love horns and flutes) or sheet music etc, you can leave them at the 2312 Murphy or the Allegany Park and Shop.
Tarps--sorry to say but many in Haiti are still living in tents and under tarps. They wear out, so new tarps are always needed there.
Soccer and/or basketballs or other small toys. We like to include toys with our school supply shipments. A deflated ball or toy will make a child's day in Haiti.
Money for shipping or to help HaitiScholarships.org. For about $250 a year, they pay for a student in Haiti to go to school. Zero overhead and a great pay to directly impact those in need while making the future need less.

Items for BonaResponds

An auger: digging post holes for wheel chair ramps is a pain. This would save much time and allow us to get more ramps done.
A small portable electric generator.
A nail gun.
Tarps--for painting as well as for park and other cleanups.
Step ladders. Ladders are always in short supply.
Storage room. We had our storage space reduced and this is a BIG need. If you have a space in the Olean/Allegany area, we'd love to use it.
Digital camera--all too often on local service weekends some job sites do not have cameras to capture their work.
Radios--music makes the work go much faster! They ideally can play on batteries since often electric is at a premium where we are working.
Our biggest expense (other than when we help pay for supplies in cases of emergency) is gas. We go through about $70 of gas a week. Would you like to sponsor a week?
Our next biggest expense is food. It clearly varies but food for volunteers is about $30-$40 a week. Or donate a pizza etc.

Our last big service weekend of the semester

2011-04-06T09:30:00.000-04:00

Image by Bona_Responds via FlickrWhile we will be working throughout the summer, a late Easter, Spring Break, Finals, and a trip to Camden NJ/Philly, this Saturday and Sunday will be our last big service weekend when classes are in session.

We have about 10 jobs lined up from finished a wheelchair ramp in Salamanca, to a house clean out in Allegany, Helping spruce up Oak Hill Park in Olean, painting at the SPCA, to a flood clean up job in Portville. With that many jobs we need many volunteers. So if you are able, come help either Saturday (10am behind Murphy) or Sunday (10:30 AM behind Murphy).

Signup at http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/2011/03/bonaresponds-in-april.html

Also we still have some spots left for our trip to Camden but they will likely fill this week, so if you plan on going, sign up ASAP also at http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/2011/03/bonaresponds-in-april.html

Olean Times Herald article on BonaResponds's new Trailer

2011-03-31T21:56:00.000-04:00

Nice article from the Olean Times Herald on our new trailer .

"BonaResponds student, Rob Ryer, has used his car so often to transport chainsaws, axes and tools to help with volunteer work projects that the back seat of his small car is literally torn up.
In the future, Mr. Ryer expects that his car will be used to transport BonaResponds volunteers instead of tools and equipment, thanks to a new Featherlite aluminum trailer won by the organization. The trailer was delivered Wednesday to St. Bonaventure University by Dean Davis, owner of Davis Trailer World LLC. The trailer was one of two Featherlites won by Olean pharmacist Vic Vena on behalf of BonaResponds. BonaResponds, a student-run organization that assists with disaster relief projects and community needs, will use the new trailer to haul tools and equipment to project sites."

BonaResponds in April

2011-03-30T02:04:00.000-04:00

A few of the places we will be helping in Buffalo

2011-03-25T03:05:00.001-04:00

We will be working at various places around Buffalo. They are all very worthy projects and we hope you come out to help! Meet at Villa Marie (in the back gymnasium area) at 10:00 on Saturday March 26, 2011.

Here are some of the places we will be working:

Kevin Guest House:

The Bob Lanier Center:

"Helping Kids Get From Where They Are To Where They Need To Be."

Our Mission is "to nurture the learning and development of children, youth and adults, with high quality, caring staff and in accessible facilities, so that everyone we serve can acquire the necessary education, knowledge, values, skills and self-esteem to enable them to improve their quality of life and contribute to the positive development of the community".

The Bob Lanier Center is in its nineteenth year of providing services to youth in K through 12th grades and helping them meet the challenges of the New York State Learning Standards.
"Helping Kids Get From Where They Are To Where They Need To Be."

Our Mission is "to nurture the learning and development of children, youth and adults, with high quality, caring staff and in accessible facilities, so that everyone we serve can acquire the necessary education, knowledge, values, skills and self-esteem to enable them to improve their quality of life and contribute to the positive development of the community".

The Bob Lanier Center is in its nineteenth year of providing services to youth in K through 12th grades and helping them meet the challenges of the New York State Learning Standards.

Vive La Casa:

"VIVE INC is the largest refugee shelter in the United States. Since our founding in 1984 VIVE has served more than 68,000 asylum seekers from 106 countries. VIVE is the only organization in the country with the primary focus of serving refugees as they begin the process of seeking asylum. Last year VIVE served more than 3,800 refugees, 60% of whom were women and children. VIVE operates La Casa shelter with 112 beds, a kitchen, a legal clinic, and a free “store” to distribute donated clothing. In 2008 VIVE provided more than 44,000 bednights of shelter, 120,000 meals and legal services to the more than 3,800 clients. In 2008 VIVE served more clients then all other homeless shelters in Erie County combined."

St Patricks Franciscan Friary on Seymour St is a community center that serves the poor in many ways. From having a prison resource center, food bank, and garden, the friary is an oasis in S. Buffalo. Ironically it is very close to Sal and Justin's house that we worked on last summer with Cricket and others. .

St. Lawrence Franciscan Guest House. We painted almost all of the rooms upstairs last year as part of our International Service Day. This year we will be helping to reopen their closed school as a community center and afterschool programs.

"The Franciscan Guest House at St. Lawrence is a former convent, situated in central city, Buffalo, New York. It is available to any small group for spiritual programs, retreats, and overnight accommodations, especially for those who plan city service projects"

Editor takes chance on BonaResponds - Opinion

2011-03-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

Editor takes chance on BonaResponds - Opinion: "

Though I'd never used a hammer or power tools before, I nervously signed up for the BonaResponds spring break trip to Greenville, S.C. I didn't realize how much I'd discover about myself and the benefits of volunteering.

My previous spring break trips entailed accomplishing as little as possible, sleeping in until noon and lounging on the beach. This trip was the exact opposite. The fast-paced, long days filled with helping the community of Greenville unexpectedly placed my lingering worries about life and school in the back of my mind."

Nice article Elizabeth!!

Fast letter on International Service Day

2011-02-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been another busy and productive semester so far!

We have been building wheelchair ramps (even in the cold/snow), working on some trailers, and new shelves for The Warming House.

There is still a long ways to go on jobs however so I figured we should get better at the newsletter, so even if it is now pretty, here is a fast (text version) on what is going on and how you can get involved. Locally we do something almost every weekend. The dates and times change but you can follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/bonaresponds) or check out http://BonaResponds.org to get a better indication.

FEB 28-MARCH 5----we will be in Greenville South Carolina working at multiple sites. If you are in the area, we'd love to have you along! Even if just for part of a day! Or bring a sleeping bag and come for a longer time. The work will be good and I am sure you will have a great time helping others.

MARCH 26---Our big International Service Day is Saturday March 26th. This is open to anyone who lives in the Milky Way Galaxy. (or at least on Earth!). It is a simple idea: go and do something good and then share your experience with thousands of others via pictures, video, written reflections, or by calling in to our VoiceQuilt line. All too often people look at problems (from education, to litter, to you name it) and think the problem is too big. We want to show that little things add up and if

We will having events in many cities all around the world. You do not need to have any tie to St.Bonaventure University, but you do have to be willing to improve the world. From large jobs (cleaning parks, helping in Earthquake recovery, or remodeling homes) to small jobs (taking an elderly neighbor to the store, visiting a nursing home, or simply checking in on a handicapped neighbor) every bit adds up. You can participate alone or with any sized group.

In the US we will have more organized events in the metro Olean-Allegany and also some smaller towns such as New York City, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. BUT if there is not something where you are, start something! We are open to anyone and willing to work with everyone. So get involved. To Sign-up or for more information go to http://bonaresponds.org/isd.html

APRIL 9-10 will be our local "Service Weekend" This is when we will have teams of volunteers at various jobs around Olean area for 2 great days of helping others. We are already lining up jobs for the weekend, so mark your calendars! (and if you are a local organization that needs help, feel free to submit your job at http://BonaResponds.org

APRIL 15-17 we will be traveling to Camden NJ and Philadelphia. We will be working at St. Francis Inn (in Philly) and with Fr. Jud's St. Anthony of Padua parish.

for this and MUCH more please see BonaResponds.org!

thanks and hope to see you all involved in upcoming events!

jim

Not sure if you want to do something on March 26th? Check out the comments from last year!
http://bonaresponds.org/isd.html

BonaResponds announces date of Second Annual International Service Day

2011-02-18T02:38:00.000-05:00

BonaResponds announces date of Second Annual International Service Day:

"International Service Day is when BonaResponds reaches out to people all over the United States and the world to create volunteer opportunities, or simply help people, in order to improve their communities and the world as a whole, said Jim Mahar, professor of finance at St. Bonaventure and leader of BonaResponds.

Last March, BonaResponds held its inaugural International Service Day and made an impact in more than two dozen cities and 10 countries. Volunteer efforts were organized all over the world, with people painting, doing playground work, donating to food pantries, building a school, and undertaking other initiatives. Those who contributed to International Service Day posted their stories on the BonaResponds website to share their experiences"

By Richard Haag

Salamanca Ramp job

2011-02-17T01:25:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from this past Sunday in Salamanca working on a ramp.

Video of a job we did this past summer in Buffalo

2011-02-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

We worked many weekend up at Justin and Sal's house in Buffalo with Cricket Communications. Here is a video they put together about it.

Warming House begins its move - News

2011-02-14T23:03:00.000-05:00

Warming House begins its move - News:

"'Really, a major part of the work has been done by students,' Larry Sorokes director of the Center for Community engagement said. 'It's difficult to name all the names, but our student coordinators have been with us right along.'

Several organizations, including BonaResponds, the men's rugby team and ROTC cadets, have or will help The Warming House transition to their new location within a few weeks."

A Thank You [for a walker]

2011-02-11T19:36:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago Jim, a former Olean resident who now lives in Florida, reached out to a BonaResponds Volunteer. He was not asking for help, but rather just telling his story. The volunteer (who wishes to remain nameless) took the story to the attention of other BonaResponds' leaders and with 30 minute we reached out to the Medical Loan Closet and within a few days Jim had the seated walker that he needed.

Jim and his family have been amazingly thankful for this and wanted to thank each and every donor who made this possible.

Here are a few of their words of gratitude:

From Jim after he got the walker:

"...to all the people who made this possible thank u so very much. I cannot express to all of you how you made me happy and feel like a new person. This meant the world to me. It is so much easier to get around without having to worry about loosing my footing and falling. Again thank you all so much and god bless u all for making this happen.."

Via a FB chat when we told him he would be getting the walker:

"I owe you big time and when I get better you will get my service in helping others [I] can guarantee that."

"I've got tears rolling...in 9 years no one [has] ever helped me at all...thank you soo very much."
been a very emotional roller coaster for me in the last 9 yrs."

From Mike:

"I am Jim's brother and just want to thank you for helping my brother out with his walker. That was so kind and my family thinks the world of you [BonaResponds] and St Bonas. Thanks again!!!!!!"

That is why our mission statement is simply "to help". If we limited it, it would be hard to imagine where bringing donors in WNY and a recipient in Florida in a non natural disaster situation would be listed in the mission. So from Jim in Florida, as well as Jim in BonaResponds ;) , thank you to all who help in so many ways.

Greenville Trip

2011-02-07T09:50:00.000-05:00

BonaResponds Spring Break trip to Greenville SC.

BonaResponds is going to Greenville SC over spring break. We will be leaving Sunday Feb 27th and returning March 6th. It is open to all. Work will include helping Fr. Pat Tuttle, helping in an elementary school (St. Anthony of Padua), ramp building, fix ups, clean-ups, and basically whatever the area needs. It is open to all (priority will be given to those who frequently help oin local days).

Cost will be between $150 and $200 (still figuring some out). $100 if you meet us there. (if cost is the only thing holding you back, please come to the meeting and discuss financial alternatives. There will be a SHORT meeting 5:20 to 5:45 on Tues in Murphy 103.

Royce Fellowship aligns sports and academics - The Brown Daily Herald - News

2011-02-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

Royce Fellowship aligns sports and academics - The Brown Daily Herald - News:

"Kerrissa Heffernan summed up the scope of the Royce Fellowship for Sport and Society with the story of a simple trade. Ask a former child soldier to trade his gun for a soccer ball, she said, and 'the kid would say okay … It's powerful stuff.'

Heffernan, director of the fellowship and faculty engagement for the Swearer Center for Public Service, was referring to a research project on former child combatants. The study was conducted by former fellow volleyball player Brianna Williamson '11"

So I guess the 400 soccer balls we have sent to Haiti are a very good thing :) (not that there was ever any doubt!)

H/T to GoalsHaiti! A great group working in Leogane.

Help for church - Wellsville, NY - Wellsville Daily Reporter

2011-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

I had not seen this. It was from a couple of weeks ago.

Help for church - Wellsville, NY - Wellsville Daily Reporter:

"Volunteers Saturday included representatives of Bible Baptist, Maplehurst Baptist of Hinsdale, Houghton Wesleyan in Houghton, United Church of Friendship and Methodist Church of Friendship. BonaResponds, a group of volunteers that includes St. Bonaventure University staff and students and local residents, also helped. Volunteers took tables and chairs, filing cabinets and a stove, among other items, out of the basement.

“We were able to salvage some of the copper pipes from the heating system. There were two large radiators that we had to drag out — cast-iron radiators,” Broadwell said. “The two radiators were about 300 pounds each. We had to hook a chain on them and drag them out of the basement. The radiators weren’t too easy to hold onto."

St. Anthony School

2011-01-24T10:02:00.001-05:00

Many BonaResponds volunteers remember working in Greenville SC last winter with Fr. Pat Tuttle. Here is a video on their efforts to get a new school. Watch it, I bet you will recognize many of the people. From Fr Pat, to the principal, to some of the students.

Barring a major natural disaster between now and "spring" break, we will be taking a group back to Greenville. Trying to line up places to stay, and work still, so if you are from down that way, let me know!,

BonaResponds work day this Sunday (inside and out)

2011-01-20T09:42:00.000-05:00

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that....

Given the weather forecast of windchills near zero, I am not sure we want to start a new ramp, so we will be doing multiple smaller jobs this Sunday all around SBU/Allegany.

Sunday 10:30 to 2:30.

Jobs include:

Finishing touches (addresses etc) on barrels of school supplies to ship to Haiti.
Putting a handrail on wheel chair ramp in Allegany.
Planning and marketing for the March 26th International Service Day (including making flyers, updating website, and working on video).
Helping with the Olean YMCA "Strong Kids" 5 mile race. It is part of the Polar Bear Series and they need volunteers to help with traffic control, sign up, and clean up.
Several plans for working with local schools will also be started.

So lots of ways to help. We will largely be working out of Murphy 103. So come out and help others for a few hours. You will be glad you did!

Pizza will be ordered for lunch.

The Olean YMCA needs help with their Stroing Kids 5 Mile Race part of the Polar Bear Series). The race starts in Murphy, so that works great for us!

Volunteers help church begin rebuilding process - Olean Times Herald: News - Volunteers help church begin rebuilding process: News

2011-01-16T14:39:00.000-05:00

Volunteers help church begin rebuilding process - Olean Times Herald: News - Volunteers help church begin rebuilding process: News:

"A group of 30 or more volunteers braved cold weather and blowing snow Saturday morning to help the Friendship Bible Church begin the process of rebuilding after the church structure was destroyed by fire in early December."

While the Earthquake was a year ago, the disaster continues

2011-01-12T11:35:00.004-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

You have seen the news. Today is the one year anniversary of the earthquake that hit Haiti with such catastrophic results. If you have somehow missed the news, here is some from the BBC's coverage

BBC News - Haitians remember their earthquake dead a year on:

"Haitians are preparing to mark the anniversary of the earthquake that devastated their country and left some 250,000 of their fellow citizens dead....

There will also be a minute's silence at 4.53pm (2153 GMT) - the exact moment when the 7.0 magnitude quake hit."

Wow. It has been one year. It seems both like yesterday, and a long long long time ago.

When the quake hit, BonaResponds was painting a church guest house in Atlanta. I learned the news via a CNNBreaking news tweet. At our "all hands" meeting that night we immediately decided to help. We did not know, and never would have guessed, the trials that the next year would bring to Haiti but instantly we knew the need for help was great.

As time went on, we saw the immensity of the need in the news and also from first hand reports that came from those we knew who were early responders to the mushrooming disaster. Twitter, Facebook, and many phone calls to Haiti clearly showed help was needed. And yet, like everything else it seems when dealing with a disaster of this size, helping is not easy. Indeed it was a very very long road to help, with University, monetary, and isolationist roadblocks along the way.

Upon returning to SBU we were told by the University that we could not go as a BonaResponds Spring Break trip because it was too dangerous. Later we were told by others that shipping would make sending supplies too expensive, then later that customs would make it impossible, and throughout the year we heard many complaints that we should ignore Haiti and help in the United States first.

But where there is a will there is a way, so plans were changed. Several BonaResponds leaders made non BonaResponds' trips to Haiti with Hands (fromerly HODR). BonaResponds sent medical equipment, tents, tarps, 113184 meals, and school supplies (over 30 pallets so far) Oh and don't forget the approximate 400 soccer balls since having fun is important too!

How was this all possible? Because of you. You donated. You volunteered your time. You helped. So speaking for Haiti, THANK YOU.

But unfortunately that is all past tense. It's great. But it's done. It's history. And yet, today, as you read this, upwards of a million Haitians are still living in tents. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians students can not afford to go to school anymore. And millions more struggle to get clean water, food, and other basic necessities.

And by and large the world has moved on. Oh sure today we will see ceremonies marking the one year anniversary, but overall, Haiti is again out of the minds of millions. Today, I want you all to help put Haiti back into our minds.

First, I ask you to take a moment of silence with the rest of the world at 4:53 eastern (2153 GMT) to remember the approximate quarter of million people who died in the disaster. But please go further than that. One moment of silent prayer or reflection is not enough for a disaster this large. It demands several moments.

So please also take a moment when you walk into your house. Remember those Haitians (about 1 million) still without a house.

Take a moment when you turn on your tap and water instantly appears. Remember those Haitians who must carry their water miles to and from clean water sources.

When you flush your toilet, remember those who are still using pit toilets, or having to flush only once a day to conserve water.

As you prepare to come back to school, or go to work, imagine your life totally upended. Family members no longer here, plans scrapped. That is reality for millions of Haitians.

Thinking about Haiti is a great step, but it is not enough. We have to help. So let's get involved.

This is not supposed to be a negative depressing article. Indeed, what I will take away from the last year is that we can make it better. Haiti has many problems from politics to sanitation, from bureaucratic NGOs to lack of raw materials, from high illiteracy to cholera. No one can fix all of the problems, but we can solve some of the problems.

So Help Haiti. Let's make it better. BonaResponds is still collecting school supplies. Drop off pens, pencils, calculators. If we can get people involved to raise the $21,000 we'd love to do another foodpacking event on campus this fall. We are helping with the newly formed HaitiScholarships and the Leogane Rotary club is an effort to get students back into Haitian Schools. We would love to do more, but we need you. Haiti needs you. You do not need to have any tie to SBU. You do have to have a desire to help.

Haiti has many problems. We cannot help everyone. But because a problem is big does not mean we can't do something. To those that we help, we may just make the difference they need.

Get involved. Help.

Haiti video from Haiti--1 year later

2011-01-07T16:42:00.001-05:00

PBS looks at Haiti one year after the quake:
From Port au Prince:

From a Partners in Health Cholera camp in rural Haiti:

They said they were going to Leogane but I do not see it online yet, I will be looking for it! :)

Fonkoze | Going the Distance - Fonkoze's Work in Haiti

2010-12-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

Fonkoze | Going the Distance - Fonkoze's Work in Haiti: "Fonkoze's Work in Haiti:

When we have had to send money to Haiti (for instance for distribution of School Supplies), this is the bank we used.

School supplies to Haiti a Thank you!

2010-12-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

Great news :)

From Jean Kendy who is organizing the school supplies we have shipped to Haiti: There were 9 barrels in this shipment: They went to schools in the Leogan.

hi Jim,

how are you doing? today i finished with the distribution [of school supplies] but I'm going to send the photos for you tomorrow....the directors, students, teachers said thank you to you. they are very happy for the supplies and they needed them.

thanks to you and to others people who collected and donated to send the supplies for them....

jean kendy

Allegany, Portville Flood Cleanup

2010-12-13T10:46:00.001-05:00

Here is the video from the Olean Time Herald on our flood cleanup in Allegany and Portville:

I just came upon this when looking for the new video the Olean Times Herald is making. This is best video I have seen of the flooding.

WIVB (Channel 4 out of Buffalo) coverage of BonaResponds

2010-12-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

Channel four stopped by as we cleaned out a basement in Allegany.

BonaResponds to help local flood victims but we need your help!

2010-12-07T12:31:00.000-05:00

Help your neighbors

This Sunday BonaResponds will be organizing a work day to help local flood victims cleanout flooded basements and they need your help.

Last week’s floods affected many local households leaving behind flooded basements and lawns covered with debris. BonaResponds, a volunteer organization that has responded to Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and fires in 13 states and has sent over 30 pallets of supplies to Haiti after the January Earthquake, will be helping locally to clean up after the flood.

This past weekend BonaResponds cleaned out 4 basements and tarped a trailer whose roof had been damaged by the winds that accompanied the storm.

“Despite the cold and snow, the work this past weekend went very well. We had a group come over from Gowanda. We helped them last year when their town was flooded and this year they returned the favor. It really was a pretty heart warming story,” BonaResponds leader Jim Mahar

said.

The SBU based volunteer organization expected more jobs this weekend because the water is down and insurance companies having had a week to assess the damage. “Last week we were a bit early and could not even get to some jobs because of high water. This week we may be a few days late, but with work during the week it is the best we can do. We have already heard from eight homeowners in Allegany, Portville, and Hinsdale for this weekend and I am sure we will get more later in the week” Mahar added.

But there is a problem: A need for volunteers. BonaResponds’ student leader Steve Gearhart put it like this: “There is no good time for a flood, but this one is particularly bad since we have finals. I am extremely busy this week. But the need is here so BonaResponds will do what we can so we really could use the help of local residents. Like they said in Gowanda last year, it will be ‘Neighbor helping Neighbor.’”

BonaResponds will help anyone who was flooded but priority will be given to the elderly and disabled. All labor is free but the homeowner is asked to provide any necessary supplies (for instance if sheetrock (drywall) needs to be replaced that is the responsibility of the homeowner).

Any homeowner who needs help is encouraged to contact the Cattaraugus County EOC office at 716-938-2244 who will be helping to schedule jobs. “It is great working with them. They have made our jobs much easier as they can help to organize and screen jobs which saves us time to just work,” said Jen Mahar who has been handling scheduling of the clean up jobs for BonaResponds.

BonaResponds alumni leader Nate O’Lay added “We really like it when we get to work with the home owners. Even if they can do it themselves, why not call and get some help? It makes the job much more meaningful for all involved. And if we can save the homeowner some time, very often that person will then come with us to the next job to help. It is a fun way to build community and as the saying goes ‘many hands make light work’”.

To volunteer please register at http://BonaResponds.org. The work day will begin Sunday at 10:30 from the Murphy parking lot on the far west side of campus. BonaResponds is open to all. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and under 18 must have parental permission (form is available at http://BonaResponds.org). Dress warmly in layers and expect to get wet feet.

BonaResponds will provide lunch and a light meal back at campus at 4:30 for all volunteers and homeowners. If anyone would like to donate food, hot chocolate or coffee to the volunteers, these can be dropped off at Murphy at 10:30 or email BonaResponds@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off at a work site.

Video and pictures of flooding around Allegany and Western New York/Northern PA

2010-12-03T00:39:00.006-05:00

BonaResponds will be helping locally with flood clean up. The exact times and places will be determined as water levels fall. However we expect to be working Saturday and Sunday (and maybe Friday afternoon depending on conditions).

We will need volunteers to clean out basements, put on a new roof (at least tarp it up for now), and help residents as needs arise. Since times and locations are uncertain, please check our website (http://BonaResponds.org or twitter (http://Twitter.com/BonaResponds) for regular updates as the weekend progresses.

Our best estimate at the present is 10:30 both Saturday and Sunday. The work will often be wet and cold. So dress in layers (MANY LAYERS) and wear boots, gloves, and hats.

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/Flooding-in-the-Southern-Tier-111238629.html

Also sometime BonaResponds Volunteer Jack Fuller is in this one:

A thank you letter for a wheelchair Ramp we did in Randolph

2010-12-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

"I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the the help provided by...BonaResponds! I believe finding BonaResponds was a Godsend. Without the help from BonaResponds the wheelchair ramp would not have been built for at least two years, as that is how long the waiting list was for the program my mother qualified for. There was no possible way that I physically could have built the ramp and paying someone for their labor would have taken its toll on my finances to say the least.

I believe every community should have such a wonderful volunteer team to help out, the world would be a much better place!

Donating their time, spending it away from family and hobbies is such a selfless act, and I thank God that the team went out if their way to help me. It warms my heart to know people like them still exist in the (sometimes crazy) world. ....BonaResponds truly makes miracles happen!

Fondly,

Laurie T.
Randolph NY"

SBU president Sr. Margaret shared this with me and the author (Laurie) agreed to its posting:

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