HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hello All,

Amongst many things, I am thankful for Stacey.   Stacey is one of the sweetest women I have ever met.  Her home was destroyed.  Her work was destroyed.  She is the mother of three children, but mind as well be the mother of her entire community. With her world beyond upside down at the moment, she found the time not only to make me a homemade Thanksgiving Dinner, but dropped it off at the Baldwin Firehouse, where I am currently calling home.  My current sleeping arrangements, also made possible by Stacey.  My heart was in my throat tonight when I got back from the field to find the feast waiting for me.  Everyday since the disaster, she has spent each waking moment rebuilding every aspect of the community she lives in.  The strength she has shown through the darkest times of her life, is inspirational beyond anything I could think to write.  Adversity, real adversity, I believe will tell you all you need to know about someone.  Good or bad.  Stacey, you are top notch.  Thanks for everything!

Love,

Mark/Chops

PS.. I know I have been given A LOT.  And, I am thankful for it all.  Thank you.

BALDWIN, LONG ISLAND FIRE HOUSE.  MY NEW HOME.

THE REAL HEROES

ABOUT TO SIT DOWN TO STACEY'S THANKSGIVING DINNER!

EVAN AND ME GIVING HUGS TO JENNY AFTER SPENDING THE DAY WORKING ON HER HOME

YVONNE IS TAKING HER FIRST BREAK ALL WEEK!  SHE MAY BE ASLEEP!  PAUL AND ME ARE TAKING HER OUT TO THE CURB!  WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN!

PAUL IS GIVING ME MY INTRO TO CHAIN SAW TUTORIAL. BEFORE MY FIRST DAY OF CUTTING! 

THIS HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED LIVING SPACE WITH OVER 3FT OF STANDING WATER IN IT.  NOW, READY FOR THE REBUILD AFTER EVAN, PAUL, YVONNE AND MYSELF PUT IN 32 HOURS ON THE JOB!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

GREETINGS FROM LONG ISLAND

Hi!

What a week or so since I last updated!  After making some serious progress in and around the Hoboken, NJ community last week, I made my way out to Long Island to team up with my pal Starbuck to lead volunteers on a few job sites out here.  He has legitimate experience of leading disaster relief teams in the field, and I have been doing my best to soak up as much of his knowledge as I can.  I have been using what I feel to be some of my best leadership skills and combining them with what I see him doing that works well.  I think we have a pretty good thing going between us and it has been exciting to see how productive our volunteers have been.  People of all ages are on the ground with us doing the dirty work.  Debris removal, gutting homes, pulling up floors etc.  They really deserve a round of applause.

As of today, I will be living out on Long Island.  Nechama is undertaking projects in Baldwin, Long Beach, and starting on Tuesday, The Rockaways.  These areas received the absolute worst of what Hurricane Sandy left behind.  That said, there is no shortage of work to be done.  Today, we got off to a great start and tackled an absolutely destroyed home directly abutting the ocean in Long Beach.  I cannot even begin to describe the condition of this place.  Terribly sad.  Anyways, there is plenty of work to do out here and we look forward to digging right in.

I hope you all are doing well.  I must be getting to bed.  Sleeping in a library tonight.  Kind of crazy to think about considering libraries/books scared me until I was about 25.

Be good.

Mark/Chops

PS... NewJersey.com ran a nice little piece on Nechama.  I didn't deserve the press, but it was nice that some light was shed on Nechama.  These guys are doing some wonderful work down here.  I consider myself to be very lucky that they have kept me around this long!

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2012/11/give_comfort_to_my_people.html

also, Nechama's website 

www.nechama.org

STARBUCK AND ISABELLE, FAR RIGHT, AND MYSELF AFTER A DAY OF TRAINING VOLUNTEERS FROM MANHATTAN.

HANK, A VOLUNTEER FROM CANADA SHOWED UP WITH THIS JUMPSUIT
 

STARBUCK HITTING THE SWEETSPOT WITH A PLUMBER'S WRENCH!

THE OWNER OF THE SUIT, HANK FROM CANADA.  IS THIS SUIT WHAT HARRY AND LLOYD  WORE IN DUMB AND DUMBER? OR USA'S OFFICIAL OUTFIT FROM THE '92 WINTER OLYMPICS IN LILIHAMMER?

VIEW FROM THE CAR AFTER A LONG PRODUCTIVE DAY OUT ON LONG ISLAND

NY GIANTS QUARTERBACK ELI MANNING VISITING ONE OF NECHAMA'S WORK SITES IN HOBOKEN, NJ. AS I SHOOK HIS HAND, I SAID "GO PATRIOTS!"  BILL AND DAN REPRESENTING NECHAMA!

A LOCAL PUBLICATION DECIDED TO PUT MY HOMELESS LOOKING MUG ON THE COVER... GRRR.

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

JOHN AND CARA TIE THE KNOT!

Hello All,

Yesterday on a beautifully crisp fall day in New England, in the shadows of Harvard University, I had the privilege of watching my good friends John and Cara tie the knot.  Everything about the day was great!

Throughout the course of the evening, I kept hearing the same thing time and time again from the wedding guests.  The gist of it was just how easy it is to see that these two are perfect for one another.  I couldn't agree more.  The playful give and take in their relationship is really a wonderful thing to witness.  

Cara's smile is so warm and genuine.  When she smiles, those of us around her, have no choice but to smile as well.  You young lady, light up every room you ever enter.   Your wedding day was no exception.  You looked amazing!

John, we have been pals now for 15 years and you have never let me down.  It's an absolute privilege to have a friend like you.  I look forward to the next 15 years and beyond.  Be good man and I look forward to our next grudge match on the tennis court!

Congratulations to you both.

Heading back to New Jersey

Mark/Chops

PS.. I must recognize the All Star effort made by the one and only Adam Catarius.  Adam Skyped his way into the wedding from Sydney, Australia!  Absolutely incredible.  We miss you man.

PSS.. Happy Veterans Day!  Thank you for your courageous efforts and the sacrifices you made/make to defend the freedom of our country.  You men and women are heroes.  

JOHN AND CARA RIGHT AFTER GETTING HITCHED!

FIRST DANCE!

MY TENNIS, GOLF, AND SOCCER BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER.  JOHN O'KEEFE!

ADAM SKYPED FROM AUSTRALIA TO BE AT THE WEDDING! A+ FOR EFFORT!

BROOME AND ME SCHEMING.... 

MADE MY WAY FROM TABLE #9 TO TABLE #1 TO HANG OUT FOR A BIT WITH THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE CARA! NO BIG DEAL.

MY PARTNER IN CRIME ON THE DANCE FLOOR!  MAL!!!

JOHN AND HIS MOM!

WITH THE MMA FIGHTER, CHUCK.  TALKING MUAY THAI.  NO BIG DEAL.  

BC HIGH SOCCER GUYS. THE RECENTLY MARRIED KAC, THE GROOM JOHN, AND BROOME

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HOBOKEN DAY #4

Evening,

Over the course of the past few days, we have been making huge strides with our rehab projects at the food pantry, Synagogue, Boys & Girls Club etc.  All these community spaces will serve as excellent shelter opportunities for those displaced from their homes.  At the moment, people simply have no place to go.   We have also begun to take on single family home projects for residents displaced in Hoboken and some of the surrounding municipalities.   After assessing some of that damage in person this evening, we will begin work on these first thing tomorrow morning.

Prior to today, living conditions in the area have been incredibly difficult.  That goes without saying.  However, combine all this with the fact that the area is currently getting hit with a snow storm...  It's heartbreaking stuff down here.  Give enormous credit to the endless volunteers working today in the freezing snow/rain.  They are fighting to get food on the table and roofs over the heads of their fellow man. In many cases, for people they don't even know.  Truly inspirational stuff.

With each new day, slowly but surely, I am watching the community I'm in gain strength through kind hearts and teamwork.  The power of numbers, people coming together, is a beautiful thing.

Mark/Chops

VIEW FROM HOBOKEN, NJ.  NEW YORK CITY IS PUTTING UP A FIGHT!

PULLING UP THE BASKETBALL COURT AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. HOPEFULLY WHEN FINISHED, THIS AREA CAN BE USED FOR LONG TERM SHELTER

DAN MONITORING THE PROGRESS IN THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GYM.

ROOM LOOKS OK, HOWEVER EVERYTHING HAS WATER DAMAGE, WHICH MEANS MOLD. HAD TO GUT THE ROOM A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER LINE

PROGRESS AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB!  HAD TO PULL UP THE FLOOR AND GUT THE WALLS TO THE STUDS.  

ALMOST READY FOR THE BUILD OUT!

SUPERSTORM SANDY FOLLOWED UP WITH A SNOW STORM.  INCREDIBLY TRYING CONDITIONS FOR THOSE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY, HEAT, AND/OR DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES.  

ROSS AND DAN SURVEYING A MULTIFAMILY HOME PROJECT THAT WE DECIDED TO TAKE ON TONIGHT.  

GAS LINE

THIS IS WHERE I AM LAYING MY HEAD FOR THE TIME BEING.  SAFE AND SOUND IN ROOM 101 OF A COMMUNITY CENTER OUTSIDE HOBOKEN.  TRISTAN'S STAYING TO THE LEFT.  STARBUCK IS ON THE RIGHT.

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HOBOKEN DAY #2

Evening,

Today was very productive.  Work at the Hoboken Community Center was finished and Hoboken residents will be able to use the center for voting tomorrow.  Great news there!  I spent almost all my day with some incredible volunteers at a synagogue/school downtown.  Here, we gutted the basement.  The biggest reason for our efforts was so that the boiler could be replaced.  Without heat, the children are unable to go back to school.  It looks like our efforts today will go a long way towards getting the children back in the classroom.  Again, awesome news.

For the tail end of my day, I made my way back over to the church/food pantry.  The work here is an ongoing effort, but seems to be heading in the right direction.

After calling it a day, the fellas and myself made our way over to the Hoboken Elks Lodge where food is being provided for displaced residents and volunteers.  We ate like kings.  Thanks Elks.

There was some great work done today by a lot of people here in Hoboken.  Their efforts should be applauded.

Today was fulfilling.  I won't have trouble sleeping tonight.

Mark/Chops

PS.. I will try to find a moment to take some up close shots of some of the work I am doing.  The sites are devastating, but I feel it is important for you to see.

MY GOOD FRIEND AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NECHAMA, FELLOW BC HIGH GRAD, BILL DRISCOLL.  WE ARE OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WAS SUCCESSFULLY PREPARED TO HOLD VOTING POLLS TOMORROW.

AN AMAZING CREW OF VOLUNTEERS TODAY. THE GUY ON THE RIGHT WITH THE HAZMAT SUIT ON, WORE PENNY LOAFERS FOR SHOES!

STARBUCK, DAN, ROSS, AND ME GETTING SOME FREE FOOD AT THE HOBOKEN ELKS LODGE AFTER A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY! FINISHED OFF OUR MEAL WITH SNACK PACKS!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

BRINGING A LITTLE NECHAMA TO NEW JERSEY

Evening,

a few scattered thoughts after an eye opening day...

My pal Adam and I got to New Jersey early this morning.  Adam, an electrical engineer, is working in New York this week, doing anything and everything possible to get power back to as many folks as he can.  Remarkable work.  I am very proud of you man.  Good luck!

Adam dropped me off just outside Hoboken where I managed to meet up with my longtime friend from Milton and BC High, Bill Driscoll.  Some of you know Bill.  I wish you all did.  He is one of a kind and has spent the better part of the last decade spearheading disaster relief projects all over the world.  He is a truly remarkable man and his work speaks for itself.  Certainly one of our nations unsung heroes.

After briefly catching up with Bill, my new friend Ross and I made our way over to the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Hoboken.  Here, with some incredible volunteers, we spent the majority of the day trying to salvage whatever we could from the church's basement and soup kitchen.  The place was absolutely destroyed.   Very tough to see.  Very tough.

Later in the day, we made our way over to a community center.  Here, remarkable efforts were being made to gut the whole building, to start over essentially from scratch, and prepare the space to serve as a place for Tuesday's voting and beyond.  Thanks to a great deal of sweat equity, it looks like this will be possible!

So, I have been here a day.  It is pretty gut wrenching stuff.  The city of Hoboken is dark.  Gas lines top 50+ cars, if not more.  Homes and memories are in piles of rubble out on the streets.  The Red Cross and the like are on street corners everywhere handing out food/water/blankets.  Sirens and flashing lights have been racing through the dark streets of the city, leaving me with an incredibly uneasy feeling that just sinks itself into the pit of my stomach.  Helplessly, I sat there and wondered where the first responders were racing off to and if people were ok.

Over the course of the day, I have heard several references to Katrina.  I was never down in New Orleans after that disaster.  Being mentioned in the same conversation though.. I'm getting choked up. The most densely populated part of our country ravished by a storm of epic proportions...

The relief efforts I saw today were so inspiring.   People were walking right in off the street to lend a hand at both the church and the community center.   Complete strangers working and conversing with one another as if they had been friends their whole lives.  

This part of our country needs help.  A lot of help.  If the efforts I saw today is any indication, we will get back on our feet stronger than ever.  I have no doubt.

My thoughts are with you tonight New Jersey/New York and beyond, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.

Mark/Chops

PS.. I have teamed up Bill's organization NECHAMA, a non profit disaster relief organization based out of Minnesota.  Today, I worked with my new friends Ross, Dan, and Starbuck.  All part of NECHAMA'S team.  I watched as each one of these men, in their own way, brought a sense of comfort to the citizens of Hoboken.  NECHAMA in Hebrew... means comfort.  These guys are incredible at what they do.  I look forward to learning from them.

PSS.. We went to a Korean restaurant for dinner tonight...

SMITHAZ AND ME EN ROUTE TO NJ/NY

EVERY STREET CORNER LOOKS LIKE THIS

HOBOKEN, NJ.  STREETS LITTERED WITH DESTRUCTION

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HURRICANE SANDY

Hello all,

I couldn't just sit here and watch all this from Boston.  I am in route to New Jersey tonight to team up with the disaster relief efforts under way in the hard hit Hoboken area.  I am not sure how long I will be down there, but I wanted to keep you in the loop with my decision to go.

I hope all is well.

Stay strong East Coast.

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days