Melissa on how to lay tiles

Melissa is not a student at St. Bonaventure but as we stress every time we are given a chance, BonaResponds is open to ALL!

This is also in MS in March 2007.

Another tour of Pass Christian

This is further west. We left from Randy's Rangers, drove around, and then returned. You will see block after block of slabs where houses once stood.

A tour of downtown Pass Christian

This does not do it justice, but the enormity of the recovery efforts might be seen to a degree. There are places that are worse.

Ashley's "Interview"

Another so-called interview on the van ride back from Mississippi. This one is with Ashley. (be sure to notice her great microphone!)

Bridget and Kristina grouting

I do not know for sure, but prior to the trip I doubt either of them knew how to grout tiles. Now they do!

Which is even more proof that you do not need to be experts to make a big difference!

Mike (AKA Lance) interviewing Cindy

With much time on the drive down and back, some interviews are less serious than others. Here Mike (AKA as Lance) interviews volunteer Cindy.

Carrie writing on BonaResponds

As part of a website upgrade I asked several BonaResponds members to write up a quick piece on what BonaResponds means to them.

Here is Carrie's

"For me and several other members of the St. Bonaventure community, BonaResponds (BR) has evolved from a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to an "everyday" activity. My first involvement with BR came during the Spring semester of 2006. I didn't feel like going home for spring break, but I had nothing planned. Jim Mahar was my Intro. to Corporate Finance professor at the time, and he persuaded me to co-coordinate a little league drive that would collect equipment and monetary donations for and deliver to little leagues devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I'd never visited the Gulf Coast, and this seemed like an amazing opportunity to help out.

I accepted the invitation/challenge, and have never regretted it. Since that first trip, I've returned to the Gulf Coast two more times, helped organize and participate in multiple local service days, volunteered in Buffalo during the "Surprise Snowstorm" several days, and there may be more that I'm forgetting.

BonaResponds has enabled me to meet and build strong relationships with students, faculty, and community members that I never would have otherwise. It offers a break from the ordinary, and adds to the beauty of St. Bonaventure.

The smiles you create, and the thanks you receive are immeasurably phenomenal."

Well said!

Orientation Organizational Fair

Just received the following email:

"The New Student Orientation Organizational Fair will take place on the second day of each orientation session (July 9, 14, 16, and 20). The fair will take place in Butler Gym, and will run from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 for parents, and from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. for students. Thank you."

If anyone is around and can make some of these, it would be VERY much appreciated!

Two more videos

Just the videos...no editing. They are not perfect, but worth watching!

Cindy from Poplarville. The grandfather from Poplarville.

Interview from January with Randy

I had been meaning to turn this into a video for real, but I guess I probably won't get to it. So instead, I will just put up the raw video. I will have a few others soon.

Video of Randy May of Randy's Rangers--January 2007

Comments on BonaResponds from James

I asked several members of BonaResponds to write a few paragraphs about what BonaResponds means to them. They will be running here and I will link to them on the BonaResponds webpage as well.

We will start off with James Kane's comments. James as most of you know was the student leader for much of the past year and while I can say much bad about him (some of it is even true!), he will be very hard to replace and all of us in BonaResponds will have to step up.

His comments:

"BonaResponds defined my college career. It was through BonaResponds
that I developed many close friends and had several memorable moments,
such as any time Jim Mahar did something foolish.

I wish BonaResponds was around when I was a freshman at St. Bonaventure. BonaResponds provides an opportunity for people to serve communities, whether near or far, at their convenience. People who could only commit one day or an entire semester joined BonaResponds.

BonaResponds is constantly known as the group that did the "hurricane trip." It is known that BonaResponds sent nearly 300 people to the Gulf, which is the 2nd largest collegiate service trip I've ever heard of.

What a lot of people do not realize is, BonaResponds is much more than hurricane relief. They have sponsored several local service days and even responded to Buffalo after the devastating that struck on October 13, 2006.

It was through BonaResponds that I developed skills such as leadership, which define the person that I am today. BonaResponds made me a better person."

Thanks James!

For Orientation program

If you want to see our orientation flier, here you go. It is a Word document that is pretty big, so it may take a few seconds to open.

Updated the website

Figured it was about time to update the website, so here you go: BonaResponds.org

A belated reflection from Patrick

I had forgotten this had never been posted. Sorry! It is good!

"After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, last year, St. Bonaventure University responded: Bonaresponds. Three hundred students participated in this relief effort. We were divided into 5 sites in Louisiana and Mississippi. I was the leader in the Bay St. Louis, Mississippi group.

We cleaned, gutted homes, and roofed. We laughed, cried, and comforted those who were devastated by the natural disaster. This was an unparallel experience that I will never forget. We received unsurpassed radiance, gratitude, and hospitality from the victims whom we assisted. The most amazing part of this experience was receiving hugs that were made of gold; seeing priceless smiles; and turning the feeling of tragedy into triumph.

Bonaresponds enabled my peers and I to extend a helping hand to our afflicted brothers and sisters in a distant community. We touched many people and gave them hope. We were called heroes. It felt unbelievably good. I couldn't imagine spending a more constructive and rewarding Spring Break. I was able to do what I love most, helping others. Going down to the Gulf Coast was an amazing outlet that enabled me to contribute to my national community.

When the Gulf cried for help, God sent Bonas to the rescue. Bonaresponds went back to the Gulf Coast this year as well. It was our spring break during the first week of March. It was just as amazing as the first trip, if not more amazing. On way down to Mississippi we made a detour stop to Enterprise, Alabama to help out the school that was struck by a tornado. We were the answer to prayers; we are like the guardian angels people call for when they are struggling and in need of help. We hauled branches and trees off homes, collected the scattered property of those whose homes were affected, and we talked to the victims and gave them our ears to share their devastating stories.

Since our visits to the Gulf Coast, Bonaresponds has expanded beyond reaching to those in the national community but to lending a hand in our local community, as well. We volunteered at Buffalo when they were hit with a horrific snow storm every weekend for 5 weeks. We helped renovate a local school. We express the extra tender, loving, care people do not find in others nowadays. It is my great honor working and volunteering with Bonaresponds. "

Bay St Louis: Another Causualty

Bay St Louis: Another Causualty:

"Construction Scaffolding On Bridge Collapses, Sending 9 Workers Into Water
POSTED: 1:43 pm CDT June 14, 2007
UPDATED: 3:44 am CDT June 15, 2007

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- Rescue crews said one worker died and another is missing after their scaffolding collapsed on the U.S. 90 bridge over the Bay of St. Louis"