Fall Break trip --Detroit. MAYBE

We are getting close to committing to a trip to Detroit to help All-Hands with flood recovery.  HOWEVER, we need to see how much interest there is in going (alternative is to stay here and work on ramps etc locally).  So, if you are interested in going to Detroit, please fill out the following:

Much progress!

Mike collected over 20 soccer balls and many shirts and socks for Haiti!

Post by BonaResponds.

Post by BonaResponds.

Haiti shipments moved up. You can help!

Scheduling issues with the trucking company have led us to move up the shipment of items to Haiti. Items will have to be packaged this weekend.

My plans not working is par for the course, so I guess none of you should be surprised that the plan to ship items to Haiti in October changed.  LOL...

Why?  The trucking company that takes our supplies to Brooklyn before they can go to Haiti is booked throughout October. So they will be picking up items September 25.  The good news is that it means the items will (in theory) get to Haiti sooner!

This means we have to hurry! If you have any school supplies, soccer balls, small toys, shoes, or just want to donate to help pay for the cost of shipping, now is the time!  Ideally you bring them to SBU (the semi trailer by the baseball field at 10:30 on Saturday.)  If you can not, you can donate online at BonaResponds.org or send items via Amazon--see below).

We are working with numerous groups across Haiti.  From schools, orphanages, to soccer clubs working with the youth of Haiti).  (note this is different than PositiveRipples which will be be working more with Haitian Businesses)

We are helping at several schools (books were given to over 20 schools on our last shipment) as well as orphanages throughout Haiti (From Gonaives, Port au Prince, and two new ones (for us) in the Lascahaboas and Mayer region.  We have also given 3 small solar units out to schools (2 in Leogane, one in Gonaives---but they need larger ones).

Want to know more?  Here are some of the interviews we have done with the people we are helping:

Jeudy Djemson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxS3rloY6Mo



Manno Sanon video explaining his soccer program:
http://bit.ly/1r3KOAK


Robinson DixyBand Pollyanna Michelot on his school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0-KAAY_FkQ

 Occeant Jean on his orphanage: https://soundcloud.com/jim-mahar-1/interview-w-jean-occeant  (here is a link to his orphanage page: http://haitigv.blogspot.com/

Don't know how to help?  Here is an amazon wish list than can give you some ideas and will ship directly to us!   http://amzn.to/1qUlfSf    We will be packing and labeling this weekend, so to make it for Christmas now is the time!

If you have any questions, just ask!  Thanks for your help!!

Related articles

• Haiti shipments moved up. You can help!
• On Haiti's Earthquake Anniversary: Still Waiting for Godot
• Man donates $5,000 for fire chief's Haiti mission

First ever PositiveRipples.org meeting!

Very excited to be taking part in the newly formed (actually still forming PositiveRipples!)


This is our NoticeBoard submission from today:

“PositiveRipples Ground floor meeting

PositiveRipples is a new group aimed at improving Economic and educational opportunities locally and around the world via both traditional charity and business development.  This is a PRELIMINARY (think pre start-up) meeting that will lay out our initial plans and the steps needed to achieve theses goals.  The basic idea is that by there are times that giving a "hand-up" can be better for the recipient than a "hand-out".  It can also be more sustainable and a better learning experience for both sides.  

PositiveRipples will combine elements of Embrace it Africa, BonaResponds, Enactus, SIMM, as well as online and in-person learning that will be made available for in class or out of class use.  The plan will be start this exciting program in stages in Uganda, Haiti, and the US.  

Want a few examples to get the creative juices flowing?  A student helping a Haitian Internet cafe create financial statements for the first time, or developing lesson plans and working with teachers in Uganda (or Haiti), or small micro investments in businesses.  (BTW: all three of these have already happened but not as part of a formalized program)    

This evening's meeting to introduce this exciting new program and to gauge interest and get leaders is at 5:30 in the Swan Atrium.  (depending on numbers interested we may go into Swan 100 or another room so look for us if you do not see us immediately).  The meeting should be quite short (ideally less than 30 minutes so that those with 6:00 classes can attend).  

As a personal note, I am totally sold on this and can easily imagine a program where we will be helping start positive ripples (where one good event leads to every more as the benefits expand) literally around the globe.  Come and see if you want to get involved. "

and here is where the meeting can be watched online:




Want even more?  Here is the basic framework of what participants on our side will be learning.  The basic idea is that we need to truly understand the situation before loans and investments are made so that it can be a "win, win" situation for all involved.

https://helpified.com/maps/positiveripples

BonaResponds 9 minute update

Hey everyone, I don't have time for a real newsletter but want to give you a very fast update (have to leave in 9 minutes!)

• Great weekend of work this past weekend--scraped a house to paint soon, built a ramp, scouted several jobs, and volunteers delivered a new battery for a woman's wheelchair/scooter.  THANKS to everyone!
• Great new group of volunteers and leaders this year!  From freshmen to seniors a great group has been coming out to help!  Excited to be working with them and have very high hopes for BonaResponds!
• 5:30 this Wednesday will be the PositiveRipples meeting.  In the Swan Atrium (or nearby). It is going to be huge!  Get involved now.  Give a helping hand up rather than just a hand-out.  Microfinance and more to help people through education and economic development.  Don't live near here or want to participate online?  here you go: https://plus.google.com/events/c747ckeu6fo2rg01gfdl801kaac
• Haiti continues to be an area of great emphasis.  Big needs this week were from an orphanage with 100 children.  Hard to imagine a group more deserving of a helping hand.  Our goal for the year for them is to send school supplies and $1000 to help pay for teachers (they get $67USD per month!), get them solar electric, and help with their buildings.  (See below for an example of one of their current shelters (this is where they cook now for 100 children.)
• No location has yet been selected for our Fall Break trip. Stay tuned. 
• Ryland was hired as our first true employee in the US!  He will be working 5-8 hours a week. This is in lieu of the graduate assistant we have had in the past.  NOTE: this is in addition to his role as a regular volunteer student leader.  Thank you to the School of Business and the Pacioli Scholar program for making this possible.
• MANY jobs coming up: painting, ramps, sidewalk, grab bars, and drywall to name a few.  We are also almost out of WarmSnugglyBlankets and our hope to have material for 100 donated fell through this past weekend, so look for a blanket making day soon.
• From Facebook: Thank yous: Always very very dangerous to thank some people as undoubtedly I will miss some, but this week we have received much "behind the scenes" help so I would like to mention and publicly thank at least some (and I apologize in advance for missing others). But a partial list of those who helped this week includes: The Khairullahs, Todd Palmer, Mike Kasperski, Sue Miller, Jerry Godbout, Joe Coate,Mary Jo Stetz Brockel, Father Dan Riley, John Brad Stevens, Pierre Balthazard, Kate Himes, Michael Russell, and Mike Muffoletto. THANK YOU!  Thanks also to Jen for updating the website and to Sarah for running a marathon (NYC) as a fundraiser for us!  Here is where you can donate to that: https://netcommunity.sbu.edu/netcommunity/donation-pages/support-bonaresponds
• Want something funny to end the update?  Our new BR  upperbody/AB/Back/shoulder workout: http://youtu.be/3UnJ7Tl0jhM  (DON"T TRY IT!!)
• 10:30 Saturday, 11:15 Sunday.  Come on out!
• HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!  Make the world better for someone whenever you can :)  Jim

• 

  Shelter where food is prepared for 100 children at an orphanage near Lascahobas, Haiti. We want to make this better.  We can make this better.  We need your help to do it. 
  
  Volunteer and Change the World!