"Members of the Pacioli scholars at St. Bonaventure conduct interviews about the service organization that has done countless amounts of work in the community."
Reflection by Michael English
My first experience with BonaResponds was during the first semester of my freshmen year during a local day’s event. I had to go to a volunteer service for my freshmen 101 class and decided that this would be the best opportunity to satisfy the requirement for the class. Initially going into the program for the class I had absolutely no expectations to continuing participating with BonaResponds.
During the volunteering I actually enjoyed doing the work that I was doing, not because I was doing something somewhat fun but I became overwhelmed with a feeling of “goodness” that could have made performing the most boring and tedious task enjoyable. I realized that there is a need for people to help others. I honestly cannot describe the feeling that happens after you help a complete stranger in need, all I can say is that I challenge someone to help someone in need and not feel good about helping them at the end of the day.
I feel as though BonaResponds has provided me with a new opportunity to expand myself as a better person in our community. If it were not for the program I don’t think that I would have quite the same outlook on community service, selflessness, and volunteering. What used to be an idea that never crossed my mind has now become a priority to me. I believe that it is programs like BonaResponds that truly make us EXTRAORDIRNARY."
"Those who have succeeded have provided a valuable lesson to social workers in the region, one that they say the federal government has been slow to learn: it is not enough simply to give money, or rent vouchers, to people unable to strategize for themselves. Those who have achieved the most stability, like Ms. August, have had the most sustained kind of attention: caseworkers who make house calls, counseling, transportation, gentle encouragement and tough love. That kind of care has been the exception, not the rule."
"“It’s the best gift ever,” Vicki Eisenhardt said.
The home was customized to meet the needs of her family, especially her two sons, Dalton, 10, and Wyatt, 8, who both battle a rare genetic disorder that requires around-the-clock care.
Born with unbalanced translocation chromosome 15, a disease so rare that they may be the only ones in the U.S. who suffer from it, the boys have no sense of touch, and extensive lung damage has rendered them unable to speak. They use tracheotomy tubes to breathe, and feeding tubes to eat."
"David Campbell, an investment banker from Massachusetts, was one of them. His planned one-week trip to Thailand turned into a month-long stay. During that time, David helped manage new arrivals and eventually formed a volunteer-driven-non-profit. Since then, his group, Hands On Disaster Response, has worked in a dozen natural disaster zones. David joins us from Carlisle, Mass. with more"
"A customized home was built in Machias for the Eisenhardt family. The family has three children, two have a rare disorder requires around-the-clock care.
Dalton, 10 and Wyatt, 8, are so happy to be in a new home. It was built by volunteers since October.
"The new home is already paying off. The family has noticed with a better clean air system in the house, the boys need less suctioning from the tracheotomy tubes."
" I am so late in my thanks, and I am very sorry....[I want to] thank the many volunteers that painted my house this last year. This was done through BonaResponds. I have been very ill and slowly getting back on my feet.
What a great asset to your University. I needed so much help on my house and someone told me about your group. God bless all of you for your help...."
Rose
"Since October, countless volunteers worked diligently to build the Eisenhardt family a dream home. Even though the home is complete, some exterior work needs to be finished. Anyone interested in donating can visit: http://www.post1460.org/ or http://christianyouthcorps.bfn.org/ ."
"..for the past two months, another remarkable makeover has been happening in Machias...Webb and Vicki Eisenhardt on Saturday moved into the 3,800-square-foot house customized for their two sons, Dalton, 10, and Wyatt, 8, who are both battling a rare genetic disorder that requires around-the-clock care.
'I love it,' Vicki Eisenhardt said.
'It's pretty unbelievable,' her husband added.
The Eisenhardts also have a 16-year-old son, Tyler."
"With three volunteer camps in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, the organization has built more than 100 new homes and has renovated more than 12,000 homes throughout South Mississippi since August 2005. With the help of more than 160,000 national and international volunteers through the United Methodist connection, the disaster response team will be aiding Gulf Coast recovery and rebuilding efforts well into 2010."
"In October, Katherine Weafer, daughter of San and Kevin Weafer of Scituate, began work on her first service project of the year with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), an AmeriCorps program. Katherine is working with the Crown King Fire Department in Crown King, Ariz., and the team’s focus is on wild land fire prevention....“I chose to do a term of national service after participating in my university's community service program, Bona Responds,” she said. “I had done two relief trips to Mississippi after Katrina as well as Galveston, Texas, and saw what people went through and wanted to give back.”
Pete, I am sure every volunteer would say the same to you. You made it a great project to work on! Thanks.
"It has been a true pleasure and blessing working with everyone...see you in late January at the House Warming Party. Date will be set early Jan. Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new Year! The CYC, American Legion and the whole Eisenhardt Project Team."
"BonaResponds will help rebuild Leigh Cottage, a children’s home destroyed in a fire two years ago. When the cottage reopens, it will be used to house youth in the United Methodist Men’s Group’s Independent Living Program.
“It is going to be a great opportunity for us to help and for our volunteers to use some of the skills that they have developed building homes locally and helping this semester in Machias,”...“I am sure that the trip will be a very rewarding experience for the volunteers and, more importantly, a big help for the children and families who need the help in the Atlanta area.”"
"It was following a devastating tornado in Rochester in 1883 that a nun, Mother Mary Alfred Moes, presented a plan for a hospital to Dr. William Worrall Mayo. Mother Alfred had been sent to Rochester as a member of a new congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis, established by Fr. Pamphilo da Magliano, one of the founders of St. Bonaventure University.
The Mayo Clinic’s annual Franciscan Lecture is held to remind Mayo Clinic leaders and staff of their Franciscan heritage"
"We have a pending storm and our fears are to have people traveling to the celebration and have an accident. Due to forecast of up to 31 inches of snow we will have to postpone the festivities on Saturday. We will be weather permitting on Sunday at noon moving the family in with no celebration planned but anyone who wishes to assist in the move please call Pete at CYC.... Sorry for the change but due to circumstances we need to make this call at this time with the information we currently have. Please let everyone aware of this change and information about new date and time will be fourth coming. Thanks for your cooperation in this manner. Pete Andrews and the Eisenhardt Project Team"
"Our latest report -- New Technologies in Emergencies and Conflicts: The Role of Information and Social Networks -- looks at innovation in the use of technology along the timeline of crisis response, from emergency preparedness and alerts to recovery and rebuilding.
It profiles organizations whose work is advancing the frontlines of innovation, offers an overview of international efforts to increase sophistication in the use of IT and social networks during emergencies, and provides recommendations for how governments, aid groups, and international organizations can leverage this innovation to improve community resilience"
"Thanks to the efforts of United Methodist Men and GlenCastle Constructors and the generosity of countless friends of the Home, the rebuilding of Leigh Cottage (which was destroyed by a fire in 2007) is going great! Click here for more details and photos of the construction."
“I don’t know what we’re doing. That’s alright, whatever it is, we’ll do it well!”
-Volunteer
I heard a volunteer say this as we stood just inside the doors at Murphy waiting for everyone to arrive this morning. It was cold and “early” on a Saturday morning. I knew we would have good work for the day – both Machias and Friendship projects were moving along well and Pete and Ed (aka “Little Chief”) were well organized. The specific jobs had not yet been communicated to the volunteers, so they had no idea what they’d be doing, but that made no difference - they were there and ready to help.
I love that about volunteering – it just makes you feel optimistic and flexible and ready to go. The more you volunteer, the more you realize how good it feels to help others… you just want to keep doing it. If you haven’t been out with BonaResponds, please come out. You won’t regret it and you will help someone who could really use a hand. And, you can come out as little or as much as you’d like (but trust me, you’ll be back! :))
The Machias group today started by sorting out a large pile of siding – some new, some used – most of which will be installed on the house soon. We then traveled down to the “old house” to dissemble the playground set, which involved taking off a swing set, rock climbing wall, and other pieces and then loading the remaining large frame onto a trailer. We also loaded on the boys’ John Deere carts and other toys from the backyard as they watched and cheered us on from the back window (It was very cold today and the boys have been sick, so they didn’t work with us today like they usually do!).
The second trip with the trailer was a bit trickier. On this trip, we were working at the very back of the yard, loading cinder blacks, flagstone, etc. An assembly line spontaneously formed, and we filled the trailer right up. Between the heavy load and the wet ground though, we had a little difficulty getting going. But, Pete is resourceful and we managed to push (by hand) and tug (with a truck) and get out. During this time, we also had a few minutes to visit “the boys” who had just helped Tyler celebrate his 16th birthday.
Dalton and Wyatt were animated and cheerful as we talked with them and Vicki about getting ready for the move and the big Moving Day next Saturday. Dalton hasn’t decided yet if he wants to ring the bell on the fire truck, but they were both very excited about the fire truck ride!
The remainder of the day we spent at the new house, painting the baseboards and door frames in Tyler’s room, the master bedroom, sitting room, and closet. Many others were there working today too on the lighting, smoke alarms, and finishing work. The house is coming along very nicely and is really looking fantastic.
Overall we had a great crew today – lots of fun and great work.
"December 12th Saturday, will be a big day all involved and anyone interested in seeing the final project completed in Machias, NY. Everyone is invited to "Move-in Day" with the Eisenhardts. Be a part of the big day, Open House from 8am to Noon come tour their new home just before they move-in. Then at 1pm a line of volunteers will proceed from Eisenhardts old apartment to their new home approx 1/2 mile north on rt 16 lead by the boys getting a ride in Daltons wish, a big red fire truck. Delivering all their furniture and belongings moving them in, in one very short amount of time.
Be part of the big day and enjoy this event as a community that has come together for these two boys and their family!"
"Asked how people outside of Georgia can help with response efforts, “Go through the disaster response organization that is connected to your church synagogue or mosque.” Tribble advised. “If you coordinate your volunteer desire through an existing organization you can do a tremendous help to the (survivors) here, and you can do that that no matter what state you’re in,” Tribble said."
As person voted "most likely to mess up on the job", one of my jobs was to make sure the others had tools when they were needed. On one of my tool locator walk-arounds I went outside looking for Pete, when suddenly "the boys" came around the corner of the house. I am not sure who saw who first, but Wyatt and Dalton waved and the smile on their faces almost matched the smile on mine. 
"In Machias, people come together to build a new home for the boys in an effort to make their lives more comfortable....
The American Legion and Christian Youth Corps have been leading the effort.
The work being done is made possible by an extended family opening its collective heart and wallet.
'Small donations come together to do this. Probably our average donation is around $25.00,' Pete remarked.
On this day, the boys as they are known in the community, have fun with the volunteers."
"'We wrapped the house and basement in Tyvek, insulated, poured cement, removed nails, readied the house for drywall and helped move a fence,' Mahar said.and later:
But for the student volunteers, the trip was much more than just construction.
'We're not just building a house, we're working on these boys' lives,' said Rob Ryer, a junior physical education major....'It was emotional,' said Emily Deragon, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major. 'It's not just their house - it's their school and the place of their physical therapy.'"
"BonaResponds [will] return to the Eisenhardts on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested volunteers should meet behind the Murphy Professional Building. For more information, pictures and video, visit the BonaResponds blog at bonaresponds.org."And later (a slightly corrected ending--from Steve)
"Just go...," Gearhart urged. "You'll feel good and have a good time, but most importantly you will help some good people, and that's the main point."
"This week we had new volunteers coming in ...[from] starting on Sunday BonaResponds from Olean made the trip up to pitch in and lend a hand at the project...."It goes on to list the scores of organizations who have helped. All deserve a big round of applause!
"This Sunday - Olean Area Walk for Hunger ReliefPlease consider walking in the
Olean Area Walk for Hunger Relief this Sunday, Nov 8, at 2 p.m., to aid local emergency food providers. The three mile walk begins and ends from the Warming House. Get information, including pledge sheet, in the RC from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, or contact Trevor Thompson tthompso@sbu.edu, X2601"
4. Weather permitting, you could go put on the final coat of paint on the wheel chair ramp and back porch for Jim and Beverly in East Olean.
"ReUse will begin deconstruction on Sunday, November 8th, the day after the announcement. They're calling for volunteers on Sunday from about 10am until midnight, but the greatest need will be from 10am-4pm"
"In late September, Moody's kicked off a philanthropic program which is set to both burnish its brand and enhance its ability to hold onto top talent through a tight alignment with its core value proposition. Developed in partnership with respected nonprofit Kiva.org, the new initiative brings Moody's expertise in assessing creditworthiness to Kiva's large network of microfinance partners around the world. These microfinance institutions do much to alleviate poverty by serving as conduits for loans of just a few hundred dollars to individual small business owners, and also by servicing those microloans."
To All of the Wonderful Amazing volunteers of BonaResponds,
Words can't express our gratitude and thanks to you, and all the wonderful, amazing volunteers who came and helped us in our time of need.
We can't believe that you wouldn't have taken one look at how bad our basement was and turned around and left. It was in such terrible shape and the water and sewer and mold damage on years and years of junk made it so much worse.
It is unbelievable that you all stayed and dedicated your whole day and night to clean everything out of our basement, hosing it all down and bleaching it.
It's hard to believe you didn't run away screaming in terror.
You are all so amazing and wonderful! It's so reassuring to find out there are still such wonderful, caring people in the world. We were certainly blessed to find all of you wonderful people to help us!
The words "Thank You" seem so inadequate and empty for everything you did for us. We will never be able to thank you enough, but you all have our undying and heartfelt gratitude.
God Bless You All for the terrific job you all did and the "miracle" you worked for us!!!!
Thank You So Much!!!
Sincerely,
"The Sweeten Family"
"Friday, Obama stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bush's father, the 41st president, in a joint celebration of volunteerism and civic involvement that hinted at a possible thaw that might yet emerge between the two camps.
At Texas A&M University, during a commemoration of George H.W. Bush's call to service in his 1989 inaugural address, Obama heaped praise on the former president for offering a 'vision that's changed lives across this country.'"
...I can not find words enough to express my thanks for your [BonaResponds] team that spent almost a whole day on my property working constantly all the time they were here. I could never have afforded to have someone do all the works that they accomplished. When you get to the point where I am in my life, and I know I am not alone, [I just] "Thank God" for people like...your workers. I wish there was something I could do for each and everyone of them.
They are certainly welcome to come here here to just enjoy the property anytime they wish. My dogs enjoyed having then her also....
If you could please give each and everyone of them my thanks.
God bless you and your people,
Sincerely, Carol (and Rick)
"Actresses and mother-daughter pair Blythe Danner and Gwyneth Paltrow celebrate the health benefits of volunteering."
"....The recent trend is volunteers are also professionals that want to give back to the community they live in.
Volunteers come from all walks of life and have a variety of skills to offer. Volunteers seek opportunities in the community for a variety of reasons such as filling a void, gaining experience, building resumés and exploring career opportunities to name a few.
Volunteer positions are available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis."
"This fall break, we'll be working between Gowanda and locally. Check out our tentative agenda below... it's full of good work and good fun!! Won't you join us? And bring a friend! Please sign up here.
Friday 10/9 - Camping in Gowanda
* 5 PM - 8 PM: Work Evening in Gowanda
Saturday 10/10 - Camping in Gowanda
* 10 AM - 3 PM: Work Day in Gowanda
* 4 PM - ???: Thank You Celebration - Complete with Parade, Fireworks, and Barbecue.... live music, Ruben Brown, great fun!!!
Sunday 10/11 - Camping at Allegany State Park
* 10 AM - 4 PM: Work Day in Gowanda
Monday 10/12 (Columbus Day) - Camping at Allegany State Park
* 9 AM - 5 PM: Work Day Locally
Tuesday 10/13
* 10 AM - 3 PM: Work Day Locally"
"I stopped by the Park and Shop...to get boxes of brownies for Livestrong Weekend. I followed the directions to a "T". Two boxes--one for myself, and one for the bake sale. Without burning even a corner mine were a success!
I cut the brownies in the pan into inch squares.....they were gone in no time as chocolate is a weakness.
I am sending the brownies for the bake sale flattened. How else could they travel from Gowanda to Olean?"
"On a more serious note please add this to the bake sale monies for the Livestrong Weekend. I'll continue to follow your "projects".
What an unbelievable group of dedicated people that serve those in need-real need.
(her address) stands proud only because of BonaResponds."
"Kaitlyn has organized a benefit called Carnival for a Cure that will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 on the front lawn of Olean High School. Kaitlyn is working with Roswell Park's Team Cure and all proceeds will benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute.If we have enough baked goods left over from Friday's Livestrong Day BakeSale, we will be selling there as well.
'Ever since my grandmother got sick I've wanted to do something like this to let people know what they can do to help fight cancer and prevent it,' Kaitlyn said."
"More than 1,000 homes were estimated to be flooded out and more than 30,000 residents across the state were without electrical power, said Dena Brummer, spokeswoman for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency."
"In Cobb, the Emergency Management Agency is beginning damage assessments to include the number of structures flooded and the extent of damage to Cobb County facilities, according to director of communications Robert Quigley. He said the process will take several weeks "
"BonaResponds, a volunteer group based in St. Bonaventure University, was one of the first to reach Gowanda following the floods and saw the potential for a devoted organizational entity. They contacted one of the larger organizations after which they had modeled their own efforts: Hands On Disaster Response (HODR) out of Massachusetts.
'Initial reports pointed toward about 400 homes being affected and that got my attention because that's kind of our threshold for going in and physically assessing,' said Bill Driscoll, Jr., operations director for HODR. 'So I arrived in Gowanda that following Tuesday and met up with ... Bona Responds and we toured the area, talked to residents and local officials about what had happened and the efforts that were under way.'
Initially, Driscoll said, the consensus from people he spoke with was that things should quickly return to normal. The organization waited, remaining in contact with BonaResponds for updates on the situation, and later came in when it started to become evident that recovery would take longer than expected.
'It became pretty clear that there was a need for some help coordinating everyone - all the groups that were active in the non-profit and volunteer world - and just trying to harness all the different efforts that were happening in such a way to be a little more effective and a little more efficient,' Driscoll said."
"The storm on Aug. 9 brought more than flooding and damage to the home and property of Dennis Decot and his wife, Chris, who live on Route 219 in West Valley. Today Chris is in an intensive care unit at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital where she recently underwent the amputation of her right leg following a bout with Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as MRSA, a bacterium responsible for infections in humans which are difficult to treat."
"The idea to mark each Sept. 11 with a national day of volunteerism is based in part on a stark image: a corporate lawyer in business clothes running toward the burning World Trade Center.
That was Glenn Winuk, 40, on Sept. 11, 2001. He was an emergency medical technician who had retired three years earlier from active duty with his local volunteer fire department on Long Island....Winuk's remains were found six months later, along with what was left of his black bag, in the rubble of the South Tower.
To his brother Jay, Glenn Winuk's response seemed to epitomize the spirit of selflessness and compassion ....founded what became myGoodDeed, an organization that linked Sept. 11 and volunteerism. They also began talking to victims' relatives and public officials about an annual service day.
In April, President Obama signed legislation declaring Sept. 11 a National Day of Service and Remembrance"
"I have to say I was truly touched to know that Bonaventure students came and helped the day after the flood and are continuing to help. I saw 2 'BonaResponds' signs out in front of houses when I was walking down the street and my heart was so happy. I am a 2004 graduate of Bona's and am now a Special Education Teacher in the Gowanda Central School District. It makes me tear-up a little...Seeing Bonavenure continuing to help rebuilding and helping fix basements is heartwarming, because many, many, many people are going to need help well into the fall to prepare there home for the winter. I hate seeing houses empty and wish those people could move back in, but when the foundation of your home moved .... Thank You Bonaventure, Thank You Thank You Thank You - Grace"From a comment left on the BV website!
"'That was one of the biggest things we had to do: Dig the mud out of the basement,' Mahar said. 'You have this much mud, and there's no way to get it out except with a bucket, so you put it in a bucket and carry it up the stairs, dump that out and do it over and over and over again. For the first two weeks, we were hauling mud, hauling debris.'"
"'Progress,' Royal said of the street's transformation. 'You can't say it's not progress.'
Proof of the progress can be found in the pictures she has taken of Gentilly landmarks on Aug. 29 each of the last three years."
"Four years ago today the Coast faced the daunting task of dealing with the consequences of a deadly and devastating hurricane.
How daunting a task?
Estimates vary, but the number of housing units significantly damaged or destroyed by Katrina totaled at least 75,000....we’ve come a remarkably long way in our recovery and rebuilding efforts. From tens of thousands in need of permanent shelter to just a few hundred in only four years.
That’s not perfect.
But it is miraculous."
"Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway on the Town Green told a group at 8 a.m. that four years ago at that place and time, they would have been in water way over their heads. Pass Christian dedicated a new fire station to a longtime volunteer firefighter who died in his home during Katrina and the Bay-Waveland area held a memorial service at the beach."From the NY Daily News:
"Four years later, New Orleans has taken impressive steps toward recovery. Following a drastic reduction in population, the number of households in the city now stands at 77% of its pre-hurricane total.While blight remains a problem - 31% of New Orleans' residential housing stock remains unoccupied - the city issued 1,420 permits for new construction in May this year, nearly double the number issued in the same month last year.
That's some of the good news. The bad news is that the city's system of protective levees and canals remains inadequate.
"To everyone affected by Katrina we are always thinking of you and wishing you the best, today especially. And to everyone who came to help, thank you. Wherever you are now, know that your day, week, month or more volunteering made a difference in someone’s life."
"Four years later, distinct approaches have emerged in the two parishes: St. Bernard has proceeded with an aggressive pace of FEMA-financed demolitions, tearing down nearly one-third of its pre-Katrina housing in an attempt to rid neighborhoods of homes that could go unoccupied for years.
New Orleans has been much slower to bulldoze, often trying to allay preservationists concerns, as well as some residents' post-storm fears of a land grab in vulnerable areas. What remains is a city with about one-third of its residential structures unoccupied."
"The Salvation Army has been on the scene since Aug. 10 when severe rains and flash flooding damaged some 400 homes and compromised the local reservoir.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, Salvation Army disaster teams have worked 34,909 volunteer hours, Ballengee said, providing: 31,675 meals, 286,500 bottles of water, 18,100 gallon jugs of water, 30,884 bottles of sports drinks, 500 gallons of coffee, 1,638 bottles of bleach, 2,043 clean-up kits and 1,651 personal hygiene kits.
The Salvation Army established a disaster center at the old Gowanda Fire Hall on Main Street, providing food, clothing, water and cleaning supplies. 'That will continue until Sunday, Sept. 6,' Ballengee said."
"If there was any silver lining to the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought inNew Orleans four years ago, perhaps it is this: The water washed away one of the nation's worst school systems and left New Orleans determined to rebuild in a wholly new way."
"I want to thank everybody. One of the great things about Chautauqua County, Western New York and America is we volunteer,' Schumer said.
He called volunteering a great American tradition. He compared the men and women who labored to restore safety these last two weeks to the men who laid down their plows and took up muskets in the 1700's when the British invaded.
'They weren't paid, they weren't forced to do it, they volunteered, and that's the great tradition of America. Thank you for being part of it"
When we arrived, much of the work in the front two rooms had already been done by family, neighbors, and Mike and Wendy two volunteers from Springville. But that is not to say there was no work. There were still many damaged personal items and a washer and dryer to remove and take to the curb. Additionally there was still some water in the furnace room and the rooms had to be washed down..
