Local events for International Service Day (THIS SATURDAY!)

While we lost some momentum since I have been more or less gone from BR for 6 weeks trying to nurse my mother back to health (it was in vain as she died of complications of Breast Cancer last week), there are still many jobs going on this weekend, and we hope you get involved!

Remember the basic idea: where ever you are, go help someone!  Big or small.  It does not matter.
After you are done, share the day with others.

How to share: 

Pictures/short videos: 

• Can be uploaded to flickr (Bona_Responds) (ask for password: or if you have signed up, we will send it to you)
• Shared via FB (PLEASE SET THEM TO "PUBLIC" for viewing and Tag Bona Responds).  This is not quite as good since many people are not "friends" with us, but many are, so if this is easier feel free to use it...just set them to public :)
•  Pictures/videos can be emailed to bonaresponds@gmail.com

Essays:  

Do you prefer to write? Maybe want to write a summary of the day, or something deeper as to how it affected you?  Or how it helped those in need?  Send us an email to BonaResponds@gmail.com and we will share it (and give you credit) on our blog. 

Phone:

Often the most fun way is to call it in.  We will record all messages and share them with others.  Most like a post work day meeting!  the new number (we JUST got it this AM) is 716-2-BONA-13   
(716) 226-6213



I will not go into the projects except to say that locally (in Western New York) we need volunteers very badly.  

Jobs:

 

Buffalo: 

We will be meeting at Villa Maria College at 10:00 AM and going out to various jobs.  Jobs include: Vive le Casa, St. Luke's Mission, Kevin Guest house (Roswell Park Cancer Institute), and the Bob Lanier Center. 

Vans leave from SBU (Murphy) at 8:30 on Saturday AM for these jobs)

Olean:

While there are others being run by other groups, the two big local jobs in need of volunteers are: 
 
 
 1. Painting and more at the new Cattaraugus Mental Health Association.  This is a very big job.  Meet at 10:00 in Murphy (we need cars/drivers).  It is at 121 N Union in Olean if you would prefer to meet there. 


2. Clean up at the Children's Memorial Garden and Gazebo area at Franchot Part to run from 11-2:00 on Saturday, the 31st. We'd ask everyone to have work gloves and bring racks, shovels or brooms if they have these available.

Make a fast commerical for BonaResponds

I'd say we'd give you a prize for the best one, but we probably won't since we want all of our money to go to helping people, but we will say thank you!  And we will send you stickers and a BonaResponds wrist band! 


Rules: less than a minutes, no practice, no editing.  Should take less than 2 minutes total (and that includes emailing the video to BonaResponds@gmail.com!)


Phil went first:

BonaResponds pre-Thanksgiving update

A few updates on things: (much info, so try to read them all)

• Work this past weekend in Limestone went well.  Here are many many pictures of the job.  We will be going back to finish the Sunday December 4th to finish.  (if anyone wants to fix broken windows in his door for him (it is going to get cold!) We'd really appreciate it!  Also if anyone has a BobCat (or wants to help rent one), it sure would make the job go faster.
• We are going to be working locally over Thanksgiving break in the Olean area.  Work will be at least Fri-Sunday.  If anyone wants to, I can probably be convinced to  go out on Wednesday as well.  Jobs include doing helping make a home handicap accessible, building a ramp, and packing for Haiti.  
• Currently in waiting we have three ramp jobs, making 3 different homes accessible (one Olean, one Hinsdale, one Ellicotville), and finishing up in Limestone.  SO WE WILL BE NEEDING VOLUNTEERS. 
• Want to make a bigger impact?  When shopping this Holiday Season, pick up some SMALL toys, school supplies, calculators, etc for Haiti.  And we also will be sending some to a family in Athens/Sayre that not only got flooded, but the mother was hit by a truck when walking and the children will REALLY appreciate the Christmas presents.
• Also there is a Vocational school in Haiti looking for tools (hammers, drills, screw drivers, tape measures, speed squares and the like.  They'd also love volunteers to help teach!  Let me know if interested.Image by Bona_Responds via Flickr
• Another school in Haiti is looking for musical instruments and sheet music.   So why not clean out your attic over break! 
• It appears the Winter trip will be Jan 3 to January 12th.  Most likely place is outside of Tuscaloosa.  Details after Thanksgiving break.
• We NEED to do a fundraiser.  We will be selling BonaResponds Hoodies and bracelets the week after Thanksgiving in the RC. 
• Planning for the International Service Day is going well.  It is March 31, 2012 Saturday.  Jobs in Poland, Pakistan, Uganda, Haiti, Olean, Buffalo, Dallas, Orange County California, and more.  NEed you involved.  Big or small.  With ties to SBU or not.  Plan on helping!  Sign up here: http://bonaresponds.org/isd.html
• There are 5 nice ways to help (from shopping, to giving alternative gifts, to dropping off supplies) on BonaResponds.org.  Check them out! 

Have a great Thanksgiving and remember to make a difference!