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!!!

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)

Great day of work on Saturday

Saturday was a good day for BonaResponds but a better day for those that we helped! All told we had thirty three volunteers working at three sites. Much work got done at them all.

• In Conewango NY (North of Randolph) we helped remove over a decade's worth of debris and garbage (for instance maybe 500 styrofoam coffee cups). He had been living out of his car since the house does not have heat. It was/is a story that is worth repeating: imagine living in house that is utterly full of garbage. Much of the stuff is good, but just piles and piles of newspapers, bags, and everything else. Rats, mice, and even a raccoon shared the house with this eighty year old. And he had no heat, virtually no electric, and no running water since the pipes had frozen. Just a sad tragic story that in many ways is this year's Gerry who we met on the "big trip" in the spring of 2006. The house is still a mess when we left, but tons of stuff was removed and at least he can now get the help he so desperately needs. Here are pictures:

• In Allegany, a crew worked on drywalling and painting. They got one full room done and much of another. They also painted a bedroom and got the house closer to ready for the 69 and 91 year old fire victims who had lost their house. Here is a link to pictures from this site:

• In Friendship more of the woodwork was finished at Ed and Donna's house. The house by the way is coming along! Here are a few pictures from it. More will be forthcoming!

Desperate need for volunteers this Saturday

Before you say yes or no, I want you to try and imagine these three situations. Then, let me know if you can help.

1. I just got off the phone with the Cattaragus Department of the Aging. They have an 80 year old man who is in some trouble: his heat no longer works (it is winter) but his house is a such a mess (he is living in squalor and barely has any electric) that a new heater can not be installed. They asked if BonaResponds would be able to help clean out his living quarters and help get him heat.

A few phone calls later and we have a donated walk-in dumpster (thanks SDS!) and are in the midst of working out the details as to how we can help THIS Saturday (I would have pushed it back but he has no heat!). We can use probably 10-12 volunteers here. Transportation may be an issue since it is a 50 minute drive, but BonaResponds will reimburse gas money and provide a simple lunch. We will also try to have at least a van.

Dress warmly. Not only is there no heat, but we will be making any many trips out to the dumpster.

2. A few weeks ago there was a fire locally. It totally destroyed the home shared by a 69 year old and her 91 year old mom. Fortunately they had been planning on moving and had already purchased another home that needs some work done. Here is a part of an email I received about it:

" My mother and grandmother thank you all as well. An update.. They lost everything.
Literally got out with their clothes, no shoes, on their backs. Thankfully the dog survived and just when we were ready to tell my grandmother that her cat was gone, someone called to say they found her in the inferno, wrapped her in a blanket, gave her oxygen and took her to the vet. Only medicine, my mom's purse and the safe made it out.

Help? here is the answer to that question.. what they need more than anything is a home that is safe and comfortable. My Mom is 69 and Myrt is 91.. we're trying to paste together a small army to help us finish the 4th Street house that she closed on last week.

With many hands it will only take a couple of weeks (if that). Painting, Kitchen, a bath area for Myrt, light sanding on the beautiful floors, spackle, a very small amount of drywall, very small amounts of tile work on the floors.... I will just send out an email to this list when we'll be at the house so that if anyone is free we would more than appreciate some helping hands. You have all been so generous with your offers and there is no way we can possibly repay your kindness.. we will be forever grateful."

I spoke with her again yesterday and they have 3 or four rooms that need to be drywalled plus painting etc. They can use 10 people as well. Preferably with some experience.

3. Last, but not least, Ed and Donna in Friendship. They need some help painting and varnishing the boards that will go from the floor to the drywall in the remaining rooms. (Ed thinks 4-5 volunteers would be sufficient.)


If you do the math we need about 25 volunteers for this weekend. I realize it is short notice, but fires and emergency calls can not be planned. I realize it is Alumni weekend, but bring them along.

So there is a clear need for volunteers this weekend! With the alumni back, lets make the work day Saturday this time. Meet at 9:45 behind Murphy.


Also given the likely need to turn people away for this year's spring break trip due to the availability of housing, these local days are a good way to be sure you get a spot!

Responding to a thunderstorm

Look at the size of the tree
Originally uploaded by FinanceProfessor.

Every BonaResponds' response need not be huge. Today a thunderstorm knocked down a large (~100 year old) oak across the Alleghany River Trail and BonaResponds worked with the Town of Allegany to get it cleared. (more pics here )