In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many people sprung into action, including a group that formed in St. Bonaventure University. That group, known as BonaResponds, has taken trips all around the country to help people. Now, on March 29th, BonaResponds will be turning their efforts towards different areas in WNY that need attention.
BonaResponds is composed of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local residents and is run completely on donations. To be part of the group, members do not need to be affiliated with St. Bonaventure University, they simply have to have a passion to help and the strength to lend a hand.
This event will be its first Buffalo Service Day, an extension of the group’s local service days that have been held semiannually in Olean and Allegany. A volunteer meeting will be held at 9:30am at the Valley Community Association Center at 93 Leddy Street to organize and give out information.
Then, from 10am to 4pm, volunteers will work at several sites around the city. Some of the jobs that will be included are painting buildings, conducting housing assessments, renovating buildings, and boarding up two condemned buildings. Any help is appreciated and volunteers are not required to stay for the whole day.
At 4pm, volunteers can meet back at the Valley Community Center and enjoy a free dinner and music till 6. As an organization that brought 500 volunteers to the Gulf Coast and one that has taken many volunteers throughout WNY, the turn out is expected to be high. However, if you can not volunteer, donations are always appreciated and checks can be sent to BonaResponds, Attn: Jim Mahar, School of Business, Box BY, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778. All donations are tax deductible.
The participating organizations in this event are: the City of Buffalo Common Council, The Bob Lanier Center, The Belle Center, PUSH Buffalo, Buffalo Re-Use, Compass House and The Morlock Foundation. The sponsors are as follows: The Valley Community Association, First Niagara Financial Group, The Larkin at Exchange Building, City View Properties, David Franczyk, Common Council president and Fillmore District councilman; Michael “Mickey” Kearns, South District councilman; and Richard Fontana, Lovejoy District councilman.
Support for Buffalo Rising comes from:
Support for Buffalo Rising comes from: