Overwhelming volunteer response!

These are the best of times, these are the worst of times.

Well, we were hoping for about 40 volunteers and we have about 60. So we are really scrambling trying to find place and transport for all.

IF anyone will willingly take a bus, we can meet you there etc. The cost is actually cheaper if you go with a friend. You can go to Biloxi or Nashville (if you want to work only in TN).

It sure would help! Please at least consider it.

Thanks!

Greyhound Trips:

http://www.greyhound.com

Buffalo-Biloxi

Depart 10:20 AM on Saturday 2/23/08 and arrive 3:55 PM on Sunday 2/24/08

Depart 8:30 PM on Friday 2/29/08 and arrive 5:30 AM Sunday 3/2/08

7 Day Advance Purchase: $158 each

Companion Discount (buy one, get one at 50% - requires 3 Day Advance Purchase): $456 for two

This one I am not 100% on. I THINK we will have people volunteering here, but they have not gotten back to me. I KNOW we will be in Pass Christian and Pearlington. I THINK we will be here and Gassville Arkansas.

Buffalo-Jackson TN

Depart 2:00 PM on Saturday 2/23/08 and arrive 8:40 AM on Sunday 2/24/08

Depart 3:25 PM on Friday 2/29/08 and arrive 12:20 PM Saturday 3/1/08

7 Day Advance Purchase: $138 each

Companion Discount (buy one, get one at 50% - requires 3 Day Advance Purchase): $396 for two

Standard Fare: $264

HODR is now active in Arkansas

We definitely have another option now. It is official, Hands On Disaster Response (the direct descendants of the original Hands on USA in Biloxi and our role model), is up and running in Gassville Arkansas. Read more about it here.

It sounds like a great project!

That said, I would still prefer helping in TN as it is much closer, but if it falls through at Union University, we will almost assuredly send a team here.

Update on tornado situation

Some new information but not much.

Spoke with several people at Union University. We think we can help. But things are still happening so fast and on so many fronts no one is sure yet. I would say probably.

In addition, HODR is likely setting up somewhere in the area affected. It looks like in Arkansas which would add quite a few hours to our already long drive, so we may look to help in Tennessee instead, but again things are still very fluid.

Remember, one of the most important things to have when trying to help is patience and an open mind. It will work and we will get a lot done, but just not sure where or how yet.

Union University Recovery

Union University Recovery:

"At 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, the Union University campus was devastated by serious tornadic activity, resulting in extensive damage to the facilities. Following a nearly five-hour emergency effort, all students -- including the 13 who were trapped in the fallen rubble -- were rescued. Fifty-one students were taken to the hospital, nine of whom suffered serious injury. By God’s providence, no lives were lost.

Seventeen buildings received some kind of damage. Approximately 40 percent of the dorms were destroyed, and another 40 percent were severely damaged. Additional damage has been observed in other academic and administrative buildings."

This is one of the first entries from Union University's recovery blog (as opposed to their emergency blog).

We heard from Union University

While it is still too early to say for sure whether we will be able to help or not, we did hear back from Union University today. They expressed their gratitude of our offer to help and will be stay in contact with them over the coming weeks.

What these means is that if we can get a few leaders, we may try to run three sites (Pearlington, Pass Christian, and Franklin TN.)

Please spread the word. We need vehicles, drivers, and volunteers.

In fact, if you can get yourself to any of the sites, we will lower the cost of being there to $60 (down from $100).

Stay tuned

We are investigating whether we can help

Watters Comlex
Originally uploaded by ctracy.

It is too early to say whether we will be able to help or not, but we are investigating what we may be able to do to help the areas affected by the tornadoes.

The most likely time for our assistance would be over spring break. Thus we might be running two trips (one to MS and one to either AL, KY, ARK, or TN) or maybe stopping on the way for a day or two of work.

If you can help with the planning or would like to suggest other ways to help, please email us at BonaResponds@sbu.edu.

HODR is also investigating whether they are going.

Here are some stories on the damage.

BonaResponds is looking to go help the areas affected by yesterday's storms. HODR is also investigating. We will likely be dropping off a van or two for at least a few days if we can make a difference.

Here is a very fast look around at some news sites:

Jackson Sun - www.jacksonsun.com - Jackson, TN:

"Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist said that 60 people were transported to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital due to injuries received in the tornado. He said that 50 people have been released.

Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris said that those who remain at the hospital are listed as follows: one person is in critical condition, seven people are in serious condition and one person is in guarded condition.

Harris said that sheriff's deputies and Madison County firefighters are still trying to reach some people in the outlying areas to make sure everyone is safe."

Tennessee college struck by tornado a third time | Reuters:

"Will Hayden, a 20-year-old biology student said: 'A bunch of us were outside watching the lightning. We've had 80 tornado watches and nothing ever happened.'

But when the students heard a 'low rumbling, like a freight train,' they ran inside and took cover. 'There were five of us in the bathroom with a mattress over us.'

Several students had to be rescued from wrecked residence halls and 51 were injured, nine seriously, but there were no deaths, university spokesman Mark Kahler said.

The school sustained millions of dollars in damage as the tornado's winds toppled walls, ripped off roofs and tossed vehicles around like toys.

'Just about every building is damaged, with most of the damage to the dormitories. About 80 percent of the residence halls are demolished or in bad shape,' Kahler said."

Union University has a blog that is reporting on how the university is responding to the tornado

and here are many more pictures from Union University and here are more from Yahoo.