From All Hands Tornado Assessment - a set on Flickr

USA: Tornado Assessment - a set on Flickr:

Haiti service trip changes perception - Features

Haiti service trip changes perception - Features:

"'Few had homes,' Penepent said. 'We built a home while we were down there. There is so much rubble and stuff you have to clear that stuff before you can even start building. That's the biggest problem. So they are basically just sleeping in tents.'

In addition to their rebuilding work, the group spent a lot of time with the Haitian children, organizing games and activities.

'We were influential in setting up a Saturday fun day,' Penepent said. 'We suggested that they have activities with the kids like one day a week. They had a big soccer game.'"

and later:

"Even though the group went on their own, not in affiliation with St. Bonaventure or BonaResponds, the Bonaventure school spirit was in the air.

"We started the Bona's clap with the Haiti kids," Ryer said. "They didn't quite get the rhythm, though.""

Hip-Hop for Haiti/HODR!

The St. Bonaventure Hip Hop Team and BSU will be hosting a concert for the victims of Haiti in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Both groups will showcase their material and there will be special guest performances by ASIA and Bonacoustics.

Student ticket prices will be $3, general ticket prices will be $5. All proceeds will be going to the Hands On Organization and the efforts that continue in Haiti. Matt Lundgren will be working with HODR over the summer.

(Matt was on our "big Trip" in March 2006.)

Run a 5K to Help 200K!

In Buffalo's Delaware Park on April 10

(we will also need volunteers for this, so even if you can not run, come on out!)

Money goes to FoodForHaitiNow (via BonaResponds) and HODR.

2010 Haiti Relief 5k Application

Run for Haiti!

Help BonaResponds and HODR help Haiti!

Haiti Run Flyer (1)

A thank you from HODR

I had totally missed this from Friday

It is a Thank you the tools and screws. So thank you Tom for starting the collection, to Nate at Worth Smith gave us a great deal on, to Jen for picking up items, and to Rob, Phil, and TJ of JustRespond for delivering the items to Haiti:

Total donation was over $1215 worth of supplies:

From Jeremey (@J_Horan)

"A big thanks to ... @bonaresponds for the tools and screws. We're gonna get a lot done with those supplies.10:23 PM Feb 26th via TweetDeck

David Campbell in US News and World Report

us-news-world-report-article-david-campbell1.jpg

People too often use the word hero, but David is truly one of my heroes. He is the founder of HODR and to this day, much of what BonaResponds does is modeled after them.

It was he who gave BonaResponds a big boost after the 2006 October Surprise Snow Storm in Buffalo by donating three Stihl Chain Saws to us. It was David who came to speak at St. Bonaventure. I can think of few people who I admire more. David, thank you and keep up the great work!

New HODR video about Haiti

We work with HODR whenever possible. They just posted a new video that captures what both groups do.






As many of you know, BonaResponds benchmarks everything we do against HODR. They are the best. If you get a chance to donate to them, do so. They have a 2:1 match if you sign up for the monthly giving plan.

The HODR meeting is back online

Yesterday's HODR "Electronic All Hands Meeting" is now online again!

Highlights:
Review of recent projects and recap of planning
Introducing Jeremy as project director
Update on status of "watching"
Discussion of insurance
Discussion of possible training
Discussion of "experts"
Fundraising---an anonymous donor will match money you give this summer! GIVE!!

HODR has new Arkansas pictures up

Check out the great work HODR is doing in Mena Arkansas!

HODR deploys to Mena Arkansas

David E working the little husky
Originally uploaded by Hands On Disaster Response.

Wish we could help on this one, but class schedule just does not permit. If you would like to volunteer, please go to HODR.org and sign up! They are a great group of people to work with! Highly highly recommended!

Video of David Campbell's Talk on HODR, Volunteering, and more

Here is the video from David Campbell's first presentation yesterday. VERY good and definitely recommended. He gives the history of HODR, some of the benefits of volunteering, how you should select a job, the importance of trust, and other pieces of life advice.

HODR on NBC nightly news!

Many of you have seen HODR has deployed to Haiti. Today NBC had a nice piece on John Hancock a HODR volunteer.


BTW that mud is unbelievable!

Report from Mike

Mike sent along the following:

"My first thought when we started seeing areas that had once been flooded less than a week ago was how impressive it was that the people had accomplished so much
so quickly. Dont get me wrong there is tons of work to still be done this is just the start but the people here are to a point that is similar to where New Orleans
residents were a year after the storm. The mid west attitude is to put your head down and get to work; people around here have never asked for help doing anything and they aren't about to start now. That is the mind set of a lot of people around town; although we have having no trouble finding work. There are some people that feel that they have lost everything and that their is no reason to do anything but demolish the house but we have been able to convince these people that with
some help from the volunteers we can get them on
their way toward moving back home.

So far on the trip we have been gutting peoples homes; which consists of tearing up floors, tearing down walls, moving possessions, mucking basements of the settled dirt and removing all the destroyed items and housing materials. Most of the homes in the area we are working in had their basements filled and about 2-3 feet of water in the first level.

The people here are very grateful of the help you are providing and are more than willing to work right along side you which is not always the case in service
trips. A perfect example was a man we helped today; we caught him off guard because we were at his door an hour after he had requested help. He was a "tough guy"; he
workedon his own cars he had a collection of guns and mounted animals to show for his skilled shooting. He was a man's man but when it came time for us to call
it a day he came to us in thanks and could not hold back the tears. He didn't know how he could repay us for the help and was incredibly grateful. These tears are
probably triggered by our help but it is something he has probably needed for the past week; he has lost his home and all his things; its an overwhelming
experience and it just feels great to know we could help.

There is more work here than can be handled by the residents and the volunteers we presently have. Hands On is constantly looking for more volunteers and has
projects lined up waiting to be filled. Please come help get these hard working people back into their homes.

The trip here and the physical work you do here is important but its not even half of what makes these trips what they are. The people you meet; fellow volunteers, home owners, as well as people from the community truly make the trip the life changing experience it is."

for press release

A few quotes I gave SBU for their press release:



We will be working in and around Cedar Rapids and a small community of Palo. According to Bill Driscoll HODR coordinator, Palo has 500 homes, 470 of which had flood damage. Which definitely shows the need for volunteers is there.

The work itself will vary, but there is work for everyone. Early in the process, much of the work will be hauling out debris from lower floors, gutting homes, etc. Later we will be doing more interior work from hanging drywall, painting, and even rough electrical work. There will definitely be work for everyone. We can always use people to cook and clean the camp, run errands, help organize work orders, and to be present and talk with the victims. But I really can not tell you what you will be doing with certainty since the work will change based on needs. Some of my best days doing this have been on those jobs that just popped up at the last second.


We will be staying in a church hall and showering at the local YMCA.

Hands On Disaster Response and BonaResponds have worked together in the past in Biloxi, Gassville Arkansas, and Newton COunty Missouri. Indeed, BonaResponds is largely modeled after HODR. This is the old Handson USA from Biloxi.

We also hope to be working with Randy's Rangers. This is a group we worked with in Pass Christian on at least four of our trips. Due to prior commitments they have not yet set up in Iowa, but we have been in contact and they expect to be there and running when we get to Iowa.


"The need for volunteers is definitely great. Being a bit closer than the Gulf, and with so many people off from school at this time of year, it seems like a perfect opportunity to help those in need."

"If you aren't sure, get off the fence and just come. You will be very glad you did. Personally, I can say I was unsure if I wanted to go to Missouri, or to Ohio, or to even Bradford, and each of these trips has been been very memorable and fun. As one of our leaders said this spring "sometimes you just have to be there. You are not sure what you will be doing, but you know you will be helping others. You know that your work will be appreciated. It is just something that is the right thing to do."

* HODR will be there for 30 days (barring another major disaster), so even if you can't go with us, definitely try and get out there. See HODR.org for more information.

Comments from Mike and Bill

A few comments from the field


From Bill:

"We are currently set up in Palo, IA until July 22, 2008. The City of Palo is a small community of about 500 homes, 470 of which had flood damage. The people here are welcoming and highly motivated. This is a very warm community eager to get better organized and move forward in the recovery process."

Today crews gutted a house

From Mike:

"I encourage others to come to help the people that have been effected by the flooding in the midwest. The people here are hard working and determined to get their homes back together. The people here really need our help; helping them has a rewarding feeling because the people you are working with (home owners) are working hard right with you."

"We really need more volunteers out here. We have a lot of projects lined up that we might not be able to fulfill if we do not get more people to help. There people are deserving of our help."

and on the housing he added that HODR now is staying at a local church and showering at the YMCA.

Email announcement of BonaResponds Iowa trip

BonaResponds is going to Iowa and you can come!!!

BonaResponds is proud to announce a relief trip to
Iowa to help victims of the recent flooding. The trip
will be from July 7th or 8th (we will know by this
Thursday) to July 13th. We will be driving out (12 hours).
Thanks to a $500 donation and the generous use of
the University's vans, the cost of the trip will be
$100. This includes transportation and food (3 meals a
day) when working in Iowa. You can meet us there.
Ground transport can be arranged from Cedar Rapids'
Airport (CID).

We will be working in the Cedar Rapids area in
conjunction with Hands on Disaster Response (HODR.org) and
with Randy’s Rangers. Work will include clean up
(mucking), gutting interiors, mold abatement, much much
more. While details are still being worked out, we
expect to be working out of Palo, Iowa at the start.
Sleeping arrangements are up in the air, but expect to need
a sleeping bag. There will be internet access at
least on a daily basis.

We already have two BonaResponders out there (Mike and
Tessa) working with HODR and they will be giving us
updates as to what to expect.

Reserve a spot as soon as possible. Like all
BonaResponds events, this is open to all. Alumni, faculty,
students, staff, and community members. Trip is open to
all over 18 (16 with parental supervision. (you will
need steel-toed boots, proof of insurance, an up to
date tetanus shot, and a good attitude. :)

For more information see out blog:
http://BonaResponds.blogspot.com

and website:
http://BonaResponds.org

Space is limited so email BonaResponds@sbu.edu to
reserve a spot as soon as possible. It will be the best
week you have this summer!

If you can not go, but would like to donate money,
food, or supplies, please email us. Also feel OBLIGATED
to send this email on to others. The more help we
get, the more people we can help!

Want to go, but can't go that week? See HODR.org.
They will gladly accept volunteers!

Official Notice board announcemnet

The following was just released to the Notice board:

BonaResponds Iowa!

BonaResponds is going to Iowa and you can come!!!

BonaResponds is proud to announce a relief trip to Iowa to help victims of the recent flooding. The trip will be from July 7th or 8th (we will know by Thursday) to July 13th. We will be driving out (12 hours). Thanks to a $500 donation and the generous use of the University’s vans, the cost of the trip will be $100. This includes transportation and food (3 meals a day) when working in Iowa.

We will be working in the Cedar Rapids area in conjunction with Hands on Disaster Response (HODR.org) and with Randy’s Rangers. Work will include clean up (mucking), gutting interiors, mold abatement, much much more. While details are still beig worked out, we expect to be working out of Palo Iowa at the start.

We already have two BonaResponders out there and they will be giving us updates as to what to expect.

Reserve a spot as soon as possible. Trip is open to all over 18. (you will need steel toed boots, proof of insurance, an up to date tetanus shot, and a good attitude. :)

For more information see out blog:
http://BonaResponds.blogspot.com
and website:
http://BonaResponds.org

Nice article on HODR

As most of you know, BonaResponds is modeled after Hands On Disaster Response. This is a nice acrticle on them from The Carlisle Mosquito:

"Since the first relief effort in Thailand, the same model was adopted in all of HODR’s operations.... Once a decision is made to help in a national or international disaster, the operations director will be sent onsite to evaluate the situation. He assesses the critical tasks in hand, and estimates resources and the duration needed to complete these tasks. The tasks could be as complex as rebuilding homes and reconstructing dams, or as basic as stuffing backpacks with school supplies for kids. The operations director also secures a home for volunteers to stay in and makes sure there are computers with Internet access, allowing the volunteers to stay connected with their loved ones back home."

Some new videos

these are short clips on flickr...here is one just to show you what they are like: