BonaResponds Post Spring Break Update

* We are back from our spring break trip to Dallas Texas.  If you missed out, you missed lots of hard work, but also fun (North Texas Irish Festival, a tour and trip to Fort Worth), good food, and most importantly meeting some great new friends while helping people recover from a disaster.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped and went on the trip! Hundreds of pictures available here and here.

* A Thank you to Jim Cochran in Buffalo!  Not only did he distribute 30+ @WarmSnugglyblankets, but he also arranged to have them given to those getting chemo at CCS oncology.  In one move, Jim solved many of our distribution problems for WSB!  (remember, if you know of someone with cancer, let us know and we can send a blanket in your name!)  (look for thank-yous for those who have been making blankets in the coming week!)

* As mentioned before the Dallas trip, we aim to help plant 3000 trees in Haiti.  Have been in contact with @TreeAngelsforHaiti and Onel in the past week.  We will be back in touch on this shortly. Stay tuned.

* Let there be sun!  Thanks to Rob Granger, Pierce Steel, and Mike Ellman we now have solar electric (to charge cordless drills etc) and lights in our trailer!  This will allow us to see!  Improves safety, efficiency, and MAYBE even neatness!  

* Our first online #BonasandBeyond program starts this week. It is a 6-week course in economic foundations. It is free. If you have not signed up, please do so! http://goo.gl/forms/WnjZXxi871 we have about 20 people signed up so far. It is set to go live on Tues March 8. So sign up today!

* We are getting the first of the updates from the money we sent to the winners in the #BonasandBeyond program’s presentations for capital to help Haiti.  Heard from Djemson that the harvest has started of beans that will be sold to help fund orphanage and school for the 17 children under his care.  Also, the Little Garden program is going well!  We look forward to hearing from the others soon.  

* In response to the movie Poverty.Inc, I was asked about our solar program in Haiti.  Yes, we buy the solar units from Haitian suppliers.  So we are helping in a way that does not hurt their economy.  If we can raise $1500 by International Service Day (April 9-10) we will be able to install solar electric in another school!  

* Wesley is starting a BonaResponds program at his school in Leogane Haiti.  I am THRILLED by this. It will work like this (I think):  once a month school children will work (on a Saturday) on a project that makes Haiti better.  We will be partially funding it and providing lunch for the volunteers.  It is a great win:win:win program.  The students learn the importance of giving back and they learn new skills.  Those that are helped are made better off.  And the local Haitian economy is helped by the purchase of food etc for the program.  

* Onel is looking to buy/make BonaResponds t-shirts in Haiti for a large tree planting day there. Stay tuned. Not sure how much we can economically justify but we will be doing something for the volunteers there.

* Soccer in Les Cayes is starting up again this month after a break.  Look for pictures soon from Rochelin.  We are still looking to buy a lawnmower in Haiti for them.  Proving to be 1000 times more difficult than I expected.  

* On March 19 we are working with CYC on a local wheelchair ramp.  It should go VERY fast with the two groups working together.  On March 13 we will be prepping for it.  Plan on coming out to help on both days! (Saturday we are off this weekend due to Open house on campus and interviewing Business Dean Candidates).

* Remember, April 9-10 is International Service Weekend.  PLAN AN EVENT in your country, city, neighborhood.  http://bonaresponds.org/isd.html

S. Tier native helps Moore, Okla., recover - Corning, NY - The Corning Leader

S. Tier native helps Moore, Okla., recover - Corning, NY - The Corning Leader:

"Metcalfe and other members of a volunteer organization associated with the university, known as “BonaResponds,” worked 10-hour plus days, doing various jobs to aid in the recovery. Their efforts included much clearing of fallen trees and debris to make way for rebuilding, as well as building a ramp at the home of a disabled veteran".

WAY TO GO SARAH! (and everyone else too!) 

West Liberty Kentucky

ralphwshelton's photostream on Flickr.

Third stop on the BonaResponds Relief Tour will be near West Liberty Kentucky. We expect to be there from May 27 to May 31st. As the pictures from last weekend show, the region was hit by a tornado.

Ralph (who we have volunteered with in Haiti and Alabama) will be helping to organize the work.  If you can't make it for the whole trip, Kentucky is much closer and we'd love to have you along.

Map of Kentucky highlighting Morgan County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• Photo story: West Liberty, Kentucky virtually destroyed by storm (talibmuhammad.com)
• Kentucky Continues Aid After Tornado (bluecoastlive.wordpress.com)
• Tornado Strikes on W. Liberty, KY (3/8) (saintjosephparish.wordpress.com)
• Eighteen dead following Kentucky storms - WBIR-TV (wbir.com)

BonaResponds Summer Tour

BonaResponds will be making a summer relief tour from May 15th to June 1. While the exact locations are not yet known, we do know we will be in Dallas and Harlingen Texas (near Brownsville). The work will be both tornado clean up as well as fixing up homes in colonias (rural slums) near Harlingen. (Some of these homes still have dirt floors and no plumbing). Additional stops are dependent on drivers and need. (the tornadoes this weekend have convinced us to wait before saying for sure where we will be going.

Likely stops are in Kansas, Alabama or Kentucky. Space is limited (have I mentioned we REALLY need drivers?)


Here is the form:

Update: Here is a very tentative schedule:


For planning purposes (airports noted) here are approximate dates:


MAy 15 Leave Olean for Dallas
May 16 Drive. Arrive and get settled (DFW airport)
May 17 Tornado work (probably S of Dallas)
May 18 Tornado work (probably S of Dallas)
Mau 19 Tornado work (probably S of Dallas)
May 20 Tornado work (reflection/good by meeting)
May 21 Drive to Harlingen (Stop in Austin, San Antonio)
May 22 Work in Harlingen (Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville airports)
May 23 Work in Harlingen
May 24 Work in Harlingen
May 25 Work in Harlingen (ideally leave about 7pm to get to Houston area at night)
may 26 Drive to Memphis TN (15 hours from Harlingen)
May 27 Drive to West Liberty (9:30 hours from Memphis)
May 28 West Liberty Kentucky Area
May 29 West Liberty Kentucky Area
May 30 West Liberty Kentucky Area
May 31 West Liberty Kentucky Area
June 1 Back to SBU (9 hour drive)

Related articles

• Texas tornadoes leave trail of destruction (abclocal.go.com)
• DALLAS: Widespread Tornado Damage; Elementary & High Schools Damaged. "Multiple tornadoes threw tr... (pjmedia.com)
• Kentucky Continues Aid After Tornado (bluecoastlive.wordpress.com)
• Tornadoes rip through Dallas metro area (wunderground.com)
• Texas residents sift through tornado rubble- HOW YOU CAN HELP: Help Texas tornado victims (foxnews.com)

Canadian Tornado

Gage pointed this one out.  Only about 5 hours from us.  mmm...With school starting is it doable?

Weekend plans Springfield MA tornado recovery

What we know:

1. We will be working in Springfield Massachusetts from Friday AM to Tues PM.
2. We would love others to come help with us!  We are open to all. (EVERYONE must fill out this form--NO EXCEPTIONS.  We will have the form at job sites as well.)
3. We plan on starting all workdays from the Holy Cross Parish Parking lot (221 Plum Tree Road)  Friday and Saturday work begins at 9:00.  Sunday (9:30).  Monday and Tues 9:00. 
4. After work on Saturday and Sunday we will be getting together back at the church (6pm on Saturday, 5 pm on Sunday) for a meeting/meal.
5. If you have tools (wheel barrels, rakes, chainsaws) please bring them.  All volunteers should wear gloves and boots.  We also recommend long sleeves and long pants as well.
6. There are jobs for everyone.  From cutting trees, to hauling limbs to the curb, raking lawns, tarping roofs, and working in shelters. Also scouting jobs, feeding, etc.  So plan on helping!

We are staying at the Church of Christ at 61 Upper Church Road in WEST Springfield.  You will be sleeping on the floor so bring a sleeping bag and maybe a pad.

Watch BonaResponds.org and the BonaResponds blog for future updates.

You can sign up to volunteer:



 

Related articles

• Tornadoes kill 4, leave MA towns a 'war zone' (cnn.com)

BonaResponds Massachusetts trip 2

This past weekend 8 BonaResponds volunteers (several who had just returned from our 2 week trip to Alabama) traveled to Massachusetts to help in their tornado cleanup.  The volunteers found a region that was hit hard by the tornadoes and not equipped to handle the thousands and thousands of downed trees and destroyed homes.  With so much work to do, we are going back! and want you to come with us...

The trip will be from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon.  We will be going to Springfield MA. It is open to everyone.

Cost is $5 for a t-shirt. Meals and a place to stay are included. 

You can meet us there.
You can come for a fraction of the time.
You will have a good time.
You will make a positive difference!


What to bring?

    A good attitude--by far the most important.  We want hard working and flexible people who want to help.  It will be fun even though it won't go as planned.
    Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, work boots (ideally steel toed).
    Gloves--leather is best IMO
    Sun glasses/safety goggles
    Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
    Flashlight
    Phone charger
    Digital camera, charger
    Towel
    Toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
    Water bottle
    Granola bars etc for drive


If you are local to the Massachusetts area and can bring wheel barrels and rakes, it would be a big help. 

To sign up and for more information please see http://BonaResponds.org 


But please come.


Biggest need: drivers, skilled chain saw users, leaders, you!

all volunteers must sign this form:
http://bonaresponds.org/waiver.pdf

Related articles

• Massachusetts Tornado Video: Springfield Twister Caught On Tape (huffingtonpost.com)
• Three Tornadoes Confirmed in Massachusetts (livescience.com)

Volunteering in Massachusetts

What we know:

There is work.  We have confirmed this numerous times.  Some of the work is not yet lined up, but several people on the ground (including Bill of AllHands) and have confirmed there is much work for us in and around the Springfield area. 

We will be leaving SBU at 5:00pm (meeting to packup at 4:15 at storage to pack).

We have at least a van and a car (2) plus James (former leader) is meeting us there.

Tonight (it may change tomorrow) we will be staying at the West Springfield Church of Christ
61 Upper Church St. West Springfield, MA 01089.  We will be sleeping on the floor, so plan accordingly. 

It is a disaster zone.  Come prepared.  You will need boots, jeans, gloves, sun block, and a camera ;)

We will be working from 8AM to 6 PM on Saturday.  Sunday we will likely end at 5.  We are open to all.  If you have a job for us in the area, please let us know by emailing BonaResponds@gmail.com or calling 585.376.0231.   

We will have at least 3 chain saws but if you have others you can bring.  We do have a hard fast rule that you must wear chaps when using a chain saw for us.

Related articles

• Tornado Track near Sturbridge, Massachusetts (njwo.wordpress.com)
• Several Tornadoes Touch Down In Massachusetts (annem040359.wordpress.com)
• Three Tornadoes Confirmed in Massachusetts (livescience.com)
• Massachusetts Tornado Video: Springfield Twister Caught On Tape (huffingtonpost.com)
• Tornado Track near Sturbridge, Massachusetts : Natural Hazards (earthobservatory.nasa.gov)
• Massachusetts tornadoes kill at least 4 - CNN International (news.google.com)
• Four Killed As Storms Carve Path Of Destruction In Massachusetts - Chicago Tribune (news.google.com)
• Raw Video of Massachusetts Tornadoes (thelede.blogs.nytimes.com)

An update from Ringgold GA (From Larry and Bonnie)

Larry is on our Advisory Board.  He was in Biloxi in September of 2005 and he and Bonnie made many trips to the Gulf Coast and have been with us on many trips and local events.  They were already in the South when the tornadoes hit last week, so they went to Ringgold GA to help. 

I spoke with Larry tonight.  Here are a few of his comments and some pictures they sent.

Larry:

"It is as devastated as anything I have seen.  Even after Katrina."

The town of about 3000...many buildings just gone...where the tornado touched down there is just basements left.  Away from it you have damaged homes and then further away you have roof damage.  The whole valley has trees blown down."

"Tell the [potential] volunteers that they are needed.  Alabama is supposedly worse than this, and this is bad."

"They [the volunteers] have to know to be prepared.  This is bad."

Related articles

• Family of 4 among storm fatalities in Ringgold (ajc.com)
• Survivors in Ringgold urged to check in on website (ajc.com)
• Georgia storms | 15 confirmed dead (ajc.com)

Alabama Trip...A few more details

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeWhat we know: 

* BonaResponds is going to Alabama to help people recover from the devastating tornadoes that hit the region.  The trip is tentatively planned for May 15th to May 28th BUT we are flexible and people can come and go whenever they want.  (indeed it may not start until the 16th and may get done early if there is not work.)

* We need volunteers. The trip will cost $100 to cover the cost of gas and food.  Several friends have lined up places for us to stay while in and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  It is a 15 hour (953 mile) drive from SBU.

* Two weeks in "Tornado time" is a long long time.  So we can not tell specifically where we will be working but it will be in the Tuscaloosa area.


* If you want to fly, fly to Birmingham, AL (BHM-Birmingham Intl.).  Ideally you buy your tickets through GoodShop and list BonaResponds as your charity so a small percentage helps to fund BonaResponds.  We will try to arrange ground transportation for you to and from the airport but can not guarantee zero waiting.

* We will be doing whatever is needed.  Likely this will mean "tree work" but in two weeks much can change and it could be helping to rebuild, build fences for farmers, or whatever is needed to help the people back on their feet.

* We need to have an idea of when people want to go and how many.  There is a sign up here.  To hold a place in a van, we need a $50 non refundable deposit.  Contact BonaResponds@gmail.com if you have further questions.

* As always, our view is that it is better to go and not be needed, than to not go and leave people who needed our help.  Please bring with you a positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible.  

* Here is a waiver/release that must be signed by all volunteers.


* All BonaResponds events are open to everyone.  So if you would like to help, come help!  If you can stay for a day, a week, or the entire time. GREAT!   All skills are needed.  From drivers, to people who can use chain saws, to people who can put roofs on, to people who can take pictures, to people to cook, and pretty much everything else.   Many hands make light work and you all have something to offer.  So please come and lend a hand!

Related articles

• Slide Show: Stunning Images Of Alabama Tornado Catastrophe (mediaite.com)
• Survivors pick up pieces from U.S. twister outbreak (ctv.ca)
• Alabama storm victims mourned as NFL draft opens (aol.sportingnews.com)
• Daybreak in Alabama (jackieregales.com)
• Watch Shocking Video Of A Tornado Ripping Through Tuscaloosa, Alabama (mediaite.com)

BonaResponds is going to Alabama and you can come help!

Details will be coming soon, but we will be going to help in recovery efforts from the recent tornadoes.

We will leave after finals and after graduation on May 15th. Ideally the trip will be 2 weeks but we can help arrange transport for a fraction of the time as well.

Please let us know if you have interest in helping here.



Here is a raw video (from Helicopter) showing some of the damage. Staggering. Sad.  I have responded to several tornadoes and have never seen such damage from any of them.  It reminds me of Greenville Kansas but it hit a much broader area.

Related articles

• Obama declares an emergency in Alabama after deadly storms (thehill.com)
• Watch: Massive Damage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama After Tornadoes Hit the South (newsfeed.time.com)
• Amazing Video Captures Double Tornado In Alabama (mediaite.com)
• The President on Devastation in Alabama (whitehouse.gov)

BonaResponds is going to Randolph

Fast response, but we need your help...

Heading to Randolph NY  this afternoon to help cut trees etc after their tornado.

If you can at all come, we really need a hand. You can leave with us at 1:30 from SBU (Murphy).  We will have water and food, but come dressed to work (boots etc

Here is a video WIVB

from WIVB




and one from a   local resident



plus one

Good day, hard day

• Good day.  We did trees all day.  Wow.  From before 9 AM to 8 PM with one break for dinner. Add heat and you have a really tiring day.  I think everyone is tired now.  I know I am!  Indeed I do not remember being this tired.  Going to be an early night.
• More pictures are being uploaded as I type....here they are: BonaResponds Ohio Tornado Set
• Have 4 more people here tonight.  So our total is 11 even though Emily and her sister did not make it.  nor did Jeff.   
• There was a gigantic "spread" at the fire department.  Lots and lots and lots of food.  From Spaghetti and meatballs to Salsbury steak and potatoes.   Not quite as many choices for vegetarians but still ate way too much: spaghetti with ketchup, salad, and watermelon. 
• After eating we went back and worked for almost 2 more hours on the site.  
• Tried to go bowling but seemingly EVERYTHING closes about an hour earlier than even Haiti time.  So we got  ice cream at the grocery store instead.
• Chris (the professional tree person from Canton) is really good.  I am sure we are all learning much just by association. His friend Scott (and his some Drew) made it is after work today, with 2 BobCats! 
• Tomorrow (Sunday) we have to clean up the church area and then will go out for an hour or so before coming back for the service.  
• One of prouder moments was when Pete cleaned out the church's gutters.  Why?  Just because they needed to be done.  

Sleep time.

Short update from Ohio

Good day of tree work in Millbury Ohio. We worked with many local volunteers and family members/neighbors.

* The work was mainly clean up after heavy equipment had been through, but still very much needed. We did down three damaged trees and cut up several that were down.

* Laura and the United Way people at the fire hall in Millbury have several jobs lined up for us tomorrow.

* Jen and Phil got in late tonight. Emily and Anita are coming in the morning as is a professional tree guy who called tonight and is coming in to help from Canton. He will be bringing his tree climbing equipment which will help on several.

* We are staying at the First Presbyterian Church in Clay Center. It is an almost perfect set up with two big rooms separated by a kitchen. No showers, but otherwise ideal.

* here are some pictures of the day.

* The number of trains and the amount of traffic on streets at night remind me of Randys Rangers camp circa 2007 in Pass Christian MS

BonaResponds to help in Ohio

This past Saturday a series of deadly tornadoes swept across the Mid-West.  Especially hard hit was Millbury Ohio.  Approximately 50 homes were destroyed and another 50 severely damaged. In addition many farms, parks, and churches were damaged.


BonaResponds will be going to help this Fri-Sunday.  The base of operations will be the Mainstreet Church at 705 N Main Street in neighboring Walbridge OH.

We'd love to have you along to help!  It is a short trip but I am sure we can make a big difference.

You can meet us there (for the entire weekend or for just a day) or there will be two vans leaving SBU (one at 8:00 AM on Friday and one at approximately 5PM (stay tuned for exact times).

Please come prepared for the work.  Bring work clothes (boots, gloves, etc), a sleeping bag, personal items, toiletries, sun block, a digital camera, a good attitude!  You will also be responsible for food in transit.  Food will be provided while in the Millbury area.

You do not have to have any tie to SBU or have been a past BonaResponds volunteer, but it is extra nice if you have been!  (Wear your BonaResponds shirts or at least an SBU shirt if at all possible :)  If not HODR or any other shirt will do...lol.)

We do ask that you have had a tetanus shot within the past 7 years and you must be accompanied by a parent or other adult if under 18.

Stay tuned to the blog and the BonaResponds twitter account 

Please email BonaResponds@gmail.com to let us know you are coming!  or you can call 585.376.0231 as well.


I am sure it will be a good time and that we will be helping many people in their time of need.  So please come out.  You will like it!  Guaranteed :)

Tornado aftermath video from Millbury Ohio

Video from Millbury Ohio

Some new videos

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

If a picture tells a 1000 words

I think this MIGHT be posed....lol
Originally uploaded by FinanceProfessor

If a picture tells a 1000 words, then this set might be the equivalent of at least 5 or 6 books!!

Good day today. Hot! We cut trees back from a tree line/fence line for about 1500 feet, which might not sound like that much, but was really hard work. The crew did great job.

What is it like?

I have had several people ask me what a day of volunteering is like, so I will give you a brief look at what a day in Neosho is like and why you should consider coming out.


The building we stay in appears to be a former armory. It is very large, the Americorps volunteers stay downstairs, while HODR volunteers stay upstairs. The town had under 11,000 and probably most reminds me of what I think Harrisonburg VA was like pre-sprawl. There are several train tracks that go through the town. It is hillier than I expected. There is a very nice park for running :)

We leave at 8:00 (or as close to 8:00 as possible) each AM. We work (with short water breaks and a slightly longer lunch break) until 5pm. Work varies. Some days you may be putting on roofs, others fixing fences for farmers, others you may be tearing down houses, and on others you may be cutting and hauling downed trees (this is my favorite!)

You work with others and even if you have no expereince nor skills, you will learn quickly and be fine. You will also make a huge impact.

Staying at HODR food is free (although I generally go ahead and buy my own anyways as I have been known to be a bit pickier than most ;) ). You stay in a large room with a great group of other volunteers that often even help do your laundry!

What you don't often hear mentioned however is how grateful the local residents are for the help. On this trip alone two different people have stopped me on the street (or in a grocery store) to say thank you for being here. One of them also said I looked very metropolitan which I have no idea what that means but highly doubt I do.

If you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or better HODR who will have better idea of availability, times etc.

Aaron with his hands full

Uploaded many pictures today (over 80). They are available here. You can see us mending fences, hauling debris, and more.

Aaron with his hands full
Originally uploaded by FinanceProfessor