BonaResponds Going to Iowa
By Kathleen M. Moulton
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., June 26, 2008 - BonaResponds, St. Bonaventure University's disaster-relief squad, has announced plans for a relief trip to Iowa to help the victims of the recent flooding, and they need your help.
The group, led by founder Dr. James Mahar, assistant finance professor at St. Bonaventure, will be making the 12-hour drive on Monday, July 7, and will work through July 13.
BonaResponds will be working in the Cedar Rapids area in conjunction with other disaster-relief groups, such as Hands on Disaster Response and Randy's Rangers. Work will include cleanup, gutting interiors, mold abatement, putting up drywall, painting, rough electrical work, and more. There is also a need for volunteers to cook and clean the camp, run errands, help organize work orders, and to be present and talk with the victims.
The group expects to start work in the small community of Palo. According to Mahar, Palo has 500 homes, 470 of which have flood damage. "This definitely shows the need for volunteers is there," he said.
Two BonaResponders are currently in Iowa working with Hands On. Recent graduates Mike Vieyra and Tessa Ocke arrived on June 22. Vieyra was impressed by the attitude and work ethic of the people who had so recently lost everything.
"The Midwest attitude is to put your head down and get to work. The people here are very grateful for our help and are more than willing to work right along with you, which is not always the case in service trips," he said.
Vieyra, a veteran of the group, also explained that the victims are not the only ones who benefit from the trip. "The physical work you do is important, but it's not half of what makes these trips what they are. The people you meet-fellow volunteers, homeowners, as well as people from the local communities-truly make the trip the life-changing experience that it is," he said.
Thanks to a $500 donation and the generous use of the University's vans, the cost of the trip will be $100 per person. This includes ground transportation and three meals a day. Volunteers can also meet the group there; ground transport can be arranged from Cedar Rapids Airport.
BonaResponders will be staying in a church hall and showering at the local YMCA. A sleeping bag is recommended.
Like all BonaResponds events, this mission is open to anyone over 18 (16 with parental supervision). Volunteers are asked to bring steel-toed boots, proof of insurance, an up-to-date tetanus shot, and a good attitude.
For more information, visit www.BonaResponds.org.
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., June 26, 2008 - BonaResponds, St. Bonaventure University's disaster-relief squad, has announced plans for a relief trip to Iowa to help the victims of the recent flooding, and they need your help.
The group, led by founder Dr. James Mahar, assistant finance professor at St. Bonaventure, will be making the 12-hour drive on Monday, July 7, and will work through July 13.
BonaResponds will be working in the Cedar Rapids area in conjunction with other disaster-relief groups, such as Hands on Disaster Response and Randy's Rangers. Work will include cleanup, gutting interiors, mold abatement, putting up drywall, painting, rough electrical work, and more. There is also a need for volunteers to cook and clean the camp, run errands, help organize work orders, and to be present and talk with the victims.
The group expects to start work in the small community of Palo. According to Mahar, Palo has 500 homes, 470 of which have flood damage. "This definitely shows the need for volunteers is there," he said.
Two BonaResponders are currently in Iowa working with Hands On. Recent graduates Mike Vieyra and Tessa Ocke arrived on June 22. Vieyra was impressed by the attitude and work ethic of the people who had so recently lost everything.
"The Midwest attitude is to put your head down and get to work. The people here are very grateful for our help and are more than willing to work right along with you, which is not always the case in service trips," he said.
Vieyra, a veteran of the group, also explained that the victims are not the only ones who benefit from the trip. "The physical work you do is important, but it's not half of what makes these trips what they are. The people you meet-fellow volunteers, homeowners, as well as people from the local communities-truly make the trip the life-changing experience that it is," he said.
Thanks to a $500 donation and the generous use of the University's vans, the cost of the trip will be $100 per person. This includes ground transportation and three meals a day. Volunteers can also meet the group there; ground transport can be arranged from Cedar Rapids Airport.
BonaResponders will be staying in a church hall and showering at the local YMCA. A sleeping bag is recommended.
Like all BonaResponds events, this mission is open to anyone over 18 (16 with parental supervision). Volunteers are asked to bring steel-toed boots, proof of insurance, an up-to-date tetanus shot, and a good attitude.
For more information, visit www.BonaResponds.org.
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