Letter to Local Churches

St. Bonaventure University is planning a community-wide service trip to Mississippi to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Led by SIFE, the Finance Club, Alpha Phi Omega, University Ministries, the Bona Accounting Association, and various other student run organizations the trip will take place over the University's Spring Midterm break (March 4-12, 2006). 

While the exact details are still being worked out, we will be going to New Orleans and to south Mississippi to  work with organizations in Hancock, Harrison, and Jefferson counties.  This area includes the cities of Biloxi, Waveland, Bay St. Louis, and Pass Christian. While it has not received the media coverage of New Orleans, this region was Ground Zero for Hurricane Katrina and the destruction is catastrophic.  It will take years to rebuild the homes in the area and even longer to rebuild the lives.

St. Francis is known for being inclusive of all groups. We want to live up to his reputation. In this spirit we would like the project to be as community-based as possible.  It is thus open to all people from all religions, all backgrounds, and from not only the University, but also the surrounding area. We do not care if you are religious, not religious, Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, or anything else. We would love to have you involved in this important effort. 

Your involvement can take on many facets. 

Most importantly we would like to invite you along on our trip.  There is plenty of work for people of all walks of life.  We will be gutting houses, cleaning homes, cutting trees, installing drywall, painting, and unloading trucks, but we will also be cooking, distributing food, meeting with victims, and helping out at Animal Shelters.  While the work is hard, it is also rewarding and fun!  The victims are remarkably thankful for the help and the feeling of accomplishment is something that money can not buy.  While space is limited, we hope to take several hundred people from the region down. 

If responsibilities, scheduling, or physical limitations prevent you from going on the trip, there are still many ways that you can assist the efforts:

* Adopt a volunteer: The cost of a transportation, food, and supplies for the week's trip is about $250.  By adopting a volunteer, you will allow more people to go and work in your place.  (larger church groups may want to adopt several)

* Pay for food for a single day:  While some of the groups we will be working with provide free food, the actual cost of a food for a day for a relief worker is about $10.  If we pay for this food, it is that much more money that the groups that can be spent on supplies for those impacted by the hurricane.

* Donate other supplies (masks, hammers, crow bars, etc.) or even baked goods (cookies work much better than cakes or pies) for the volunteers and for the victims).

We also ask that you announce this trip to your congregation.  You may even want to bring a group down with us.  (Those under 18 years of age need chaperons)

We have included two suggested announcements for your church bulletin.

1.BonaResponds is a group of Bonaventure students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends (including anyone from the local community) who will be going down to the Gulf Coast to help Katrina victims.  The need for relief help has overwhelmed the area.  You can help.  In a few days you can change peoples life for the better.  It is an amzing experience!  If you would you to go on the trip or to donate, please contact Jim Mahar jmahar@sbu.edu (716.375.2359) For more information check out www.FinanceProfessor.com

2. Make a difference!  You are invited to join a group of Bonaventure students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends (including anyone from the local community) who will be going down to the Golf Coast to help Katrina victims from March 4 to March 12.  There is much work for people of all ages and abilities.  If you would you to go on the trip or to donate, please contact Jim Mahar (jmahar@sbu.edu) (more information available at www.FinanceProfessor.com

For more information, please check out our website which is available at FinanceProfessor.com.  Additionally, we have put together brochures, flyers, and a DVD that can be mailed to you to show to your congregation.

To reserve a place for the trip, to donate, or for more information, please contact either of us.

Sincerely,

Jim Mahar
jmahar@sbu.edu

Cassie Pirdy
pirdycl@sbu.edu,

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.