1. BonaServes.org
2. Future trips to the Gulf Coast
3. Future trips to other places
4. How you can get involved
• on campus
• from home
• In the Gulf Coast region

• Any other ideas on how we can help out down there?  Let me know! jim



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Over our fall midterm break a group of Bonaventure students and alumni went to Biloxi MS and worked with HandsonUSA. The trip was amazing! In less than a week we made a big difference in the lives of many people down there. The good news is that we are going back as part of a much larger group. The date of our trip is from March 3 to March 12, 2006. Our group has been named Bona Responds. And you are invited to join us

The service trip is open to anyone: students, faculty, staff, alumni of St. Bonaventure as well as those from our community (defined as anyone with ANY tie to the school--even if it is only through the FinanceProfessor.com or other web sites).  It is really a group effort with SIFE, the Finance Club, the Accounting Club, University Ministries, APO, The Rugby team, and many other groups working together to make the biggest possible impact.

Please come!  You will be very glad you did.  Of the hundreds of volunteers I have heard from, not a single person has said "gee I wish I hadn't gone." Indeed, almost to a person it is the exact opposite: "I wish I could spend more time there helping."  

The cost of the trip will be as low as possible.  The price (currently $150 for students and $250 for non students)  includes food and a place to stay.  Which is about what some hotels charge for a single night!  Sure you will be sleeping in sleeping bags on the floors but trust me it is part of the fun!

I can not urge you to volunteer strongly enough.  You will be amazed at how much fun helping others can be!  Email Jim Mahar for information or on how you can help.
What will volunteers be doing?  In a word everything!  Volunteers will be gutting houses, cleaning, hanging sheet rock, delivering food, caring for animals, and much much more.  Some people will be helping to organize (both before and during the trip), others will be video taping the trip, and still others will be there to listen to and meet with victims.  

There is work for people from all walks of life.

Organization and logistics: Arguably the most difficult part of helping is to know how you can help and where your efforts are needed.  Let us take care of that part of the trip!  Even if you can only be there for a few days, you get to Biloxi and we will find you work and a place to stay.

We will organize the trip for you.  We are working with numerous groups on the ground throughout the Gulf Coast region (from Alabama to New Orleans) and will be able to find a place for all of you to not only help but also to stay and eat without being a major drag on the area.

To sign up to go on the trip, feel free to contact any of the group leaders.  Prices for students go up by $50 after Jnauary 25th.  Current price is $150 for students, faculty, and staff.  

Donations are being accepted to help defray the cost of the trip.  

Bookmark this page and be sure to check back. I will try to keep it updated with more information as our trips near. And of course I will be updating the blog and picture pages.