Update III on #EndEboa

As promised, another update: 

Total pledged: $1712 

We sent the first $500 via Western Union (cost $20) this week and it was picked up today in Monrovia Liberia by Bishop Nelson.  It will be used to help CYC there feed orphans and others affected by Ebola.   This is a big win!  :)

This weekend $250 more will be sent to Doctors Without Boarders, $150 to Partners in Heath, $100 each to Catholic Relief Services and Medicuschristi.   

After that, we will send the rest by the end of the coming week. 

A few pledges have yet to be received, so if we raked your leaves (or other work the past two weekends) or if you just want to give to help those on the front lines of Ebola, now is the time. You can donate via http://BonaResponds.org BUT SINCE I WILL NOT KNOW FOR A WEEK, PLEASE reply as well so we can send the rest of the money this weekend.  (THANKS!) 

We looked into sending CYC and BR shirts as they have wished, but UPS was WAY too expensive (about $300 for a few shirts), so we will look for other ways, or just not send them. 

Pictures and more of the project are available here: 

http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/2014/10/update-on-our-endebola-project.html

Turn up your volume:  

I will leave you with an audio thank you/update from Bishop Nelson himself:

https://soundcloud.com/jim-mahar-1/bishop-nelson-thank-you  

(the audio gets better after about the first 1/3)

THANK You again everyone!

jim 

A thank you and then some Inspiration from various sources

Inspiration comes from many places, so on this cold wet Autumn day, maybe some of you need some inspiration to come volunteer.  Here you go:

First from BonaResponds' facebook page, A thank-you from Djemson in Gonaives Haiti for the supplies we sent. 

His thank-you: 

"I really miss words to thank you!!

Thanks again .... Attached please find the picture of the barrels and a picture of a beautiful library that we use to put all the books that we have , It is more beautiful now as we have more books! thanks again ...for the books!!! I really appreciate that!...on Behalf of all the children, I say a big thank you to you, BonaResponds and the volunteers who help out with this! 

Thanks again Jim for all your supports and also a big thank you to BonaResponds

With Gratitude,
Djemson

Accompanying the thank-you from Djemson were several pictures.  

This is my favorite picture as many of the children huddle around a small toy elephant.  As we debate the long run viability and soundness of the shipment program (we have now shipped well over 100 pallets of school supplies, medical equipment, books, and soccer equipment), we should never forget how small things can mean so much.  

  

That wasn't enough for you?  Ok a few more from non BonaResponds' sources:

From the Nelson Mandela facebook page. (posted on Nov 6, 2014)

From the Dalai Lama facebook page: (posted on Nov 6, 2014)

Want still more?  Check out volunteer quotes on Pinterest. 

--!Hope to see you volunteering with us soon

A thank you from Jody

A few weekends ago we helped Jody over in Ellicottville.  He sent us the following:

Dear Folks:

 

 I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very heartfelt "Thank You" to Jim Mahar and his crew members for the dedicated work they performed in building the stair and deck safety railings in my facility.....

 

I have battled severe Crohn's disease since 1985(my small intestine was resected in 1990), and have had two strokes. I do not "mobile" well.

 

 My thoughts and prayers will continually follow this fine group of people who put their time into helping those who are aging and cannot normally function on a daily basis.

 

  "THANK YOU BONARESPONDS"

 

 

 Here are the pictures!

A Thank you from a former Allegany Resident

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

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. :) 

Related articles

• Christmas in Haiti (HaitiScholarships.org)
• HuffPost Greatest Person Of The Day: Kona Shen Uses Soccer To Inspire Haiti's Youth Leaders (huffingtonpost.com)

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

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 :).

A "thank you" from Paula in Springfield Massachusetts

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! 

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

  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):

A Thank You [for a walker]

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.

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)

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:

A Thank you from Salamanca

Rose in Salamanca (the Paint job) sent the following:

" 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

A Thank you from (and to) Pete

From Pete Andrews

"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."

Pete, I am sure every volunteer would say the same to you. You made it a great project to work on! Thanks.

A thank you from the "Olean Basement job"

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"

Nice comment from a Gowanda resident!

The Bona Venture:

"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!

A thank you from this weekend's service work

I received the following email that really brightened my day. I hope it does your's too :)

"I cannot begin to tell you what a joy it was to have the assistance of the Bona Responds team yesterday! So much has been written about the team and its efforts to meet the needs in various communities, but I have never witnessed the program first hand. Your volunteers reported with smiles on their faces and an enthusiasm that was contagious. We had a mix of parents, community members, and staff members who worked along side your team.

All of your responders were very engaged. They took the initiative and truly worked the entire time they were here. I am sure that your team did what would have take our workers countless hours, even days to accomplish on their own. I was so impressed with one responder who asked a crew leader for the "toughest, dirtiest, worst job that no one else will want" and was so excited to get it.

In just hours, your team helped our crew to complete the following:

stain an entire wooden play ground (back yard)
construct a new piece of playground equipment ( needed post holes, concrete, leveling, etc.) (backyard)
rake the lawn and flower beds/pick up debris (side and back yard)
stain landscape timbers (front yard)l
cut, stain, and install new landscape timbers for a monument (front yard)
complete the prep work for the installation of a new sidewalk to the playground (front yard)
stain and install landscape timbers around the playground - raising it 1 level (front yard)
wash front windows on the main level, and walls in the gym
various prep work for walls to be painted on the second floor
tape and paint and stairwells to the second floor

The workers on our grounds received a great deal of attention as people drove/walled by. I was thrilled that one of our neighbors walked over to check things out. In doing so, she was greeted by your groups' kindness. She praised their efforts and thanked everyone for making our school a better place, making her neighborhood look better, and for caring our community in general. She even walked back home, got her broom and rake, and joined in the work. It was her pleasure to buy the crew a pizza as a way to say thanks!

Please know that I feel that your work is a true ministry. I was touched by your generosity with your time and talents, and grateful that our district would be the receiver of the benefits of your labor.

On behalf of the entire IJN community - THANK YOU - for giving, not just to our school district and neighborhood, but to so many others around the area.

With sincere appreciation,

Linda"

Thanks from Bradford

Sally a disabled resident of Bradford PA thanks the volunteers for their help in cleaning up after the storm.

Thank you from the Allegany Fire Dept

Tony dropped this off today:

"BonaResponds,

On behalf of the officers and members of the Allegany Engine Company, we would like to thank the girls who came and painted inside the fire hall. Everyone is happy with it and you guys did a great job!

To the girls: Ryan H, Brigid H, Kaitlin D, Jessica S, Kate C, Caitlin C, Katie M, Tanya R, Cara P, Claire B, and Lynne M., thank you guys so much for your time and efforts, and don't be strangers.

Sincerely,

Tony Papasergi 1st Amb. Lt. , Francis Pezzimenti Fire Chief, Tom Henderson VP."

A thank you for the wheelchair ramp

I received the following email today from the niece of the woman that BonaResponds built a wheelchair ramp.

"Hello Jim. I don't think that I ever got the chance to personally thank you for the wonderful job the volunteers from Bona Responds did for my aunt. The ramp is sturdy, attractive, and up to code. She has used it several times and maneuvers quite well with her walker. She didn't believe that she needed it, and now, she says she doesn't know what she would do without it.
Bonnie and Larry were terrific. The young women were energetic and pleasant. The other man, whose name I forgot to get, worked constantly. Larry even came back Sunday, in the rain, and finished on his own. He tried to pay for additional lumber that we didn't get Saturday, but my aunt wouldn't let him.
It was a wonderful experience for both of us, and again, I can't thank you enough. Good luck in the future with Bona Responds.

Becky"