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

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!

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

Related articles

• Books for Haiti (newtrierlibrary.blogspot.com)

Allegany, Portville Flood Cleanup

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

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

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

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

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:

 

 Pictures and other videos from around the area:

From the Olean Times Herald: (very good--was from "day 1")

Pictures from Various Facebook accounts etc:

From the Eldred Fire Dept--Eldred is a small town abotu 12 miles SE of us in PA.  They are essentially cut off in all directions.  Their pictures.

A story from the Olean Times Herald (and some pictures).

To the North Snow was a bigger issue.  Here are MANY pictures from WIVB. Especially check out the pictures from SMethport (I think we have to check that out to help)--Also Univ Pitt Bradford had to evacuate a dorm.

 

Related articles

• Snow strands hundreds on N.Y. highway (msnbc.msn.com)
• Snow Leaves Drivers Stranded on Western N.Y. Highway (time.com)
• Hundreds of motorists stranded hours on NY hwy (boston.com)
• Snow strands hundreds of drivers in western NY (msnbc.msn.com)

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

"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:

Help support the Olean Theater Workshop

There has been no more helpful local group than the Olean Theater Workshop.  Not only have they helped us raise money for Haiti, they have been a part of almost every local service Weekend since 2007.  Now we can help them!


They have qualified for a Pepsi Refresh Grant.  Now all they have to do is win it!  and that is where you come in.  Vote! 

The Olean Theatre Workshop is in the running for a $25,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project and we would very much appreciate your vote here:

http://www.refresheverything.com/oleanworkskhop

or by mobile phone TXT (normal text rates apply) 104274 to Pepsi (73774).