M E X I C O !

Greetings from Puerto Morelos, Mexico,

There are not many things that I am afraid of in this world, but Mexican food is definitely one of them.  That said, It was going to take a lot more than a battle with Montezuma's Revenge to keep me from making my way down here this week.

Along with some of my best childhood pals, I was fortunate enough to come down here to have a little fun in the sun and be part of Frank and Laura's wedding.

15 years ago I teamed up with a partner in crime willing to take on all that adolescence had to offer.  Whether we were taking on opponents twice our size on BC High athletic fields, figuring out how to get me to pass algebra and chemistry, brainstorming on how to pick up girls, or scheming to escape the wrath  of our parents, Frank never left my side.  I can't say we always made the best choices, but we made many of the important ones together.  We lived and learned together and I think we are much better off for it.  I know I am. 

At some point, life got in the way and our childish ambitions gave way to adulthood.  With it, our challenges have certainly changed and the miles have grown between us, but one thing has never wavered.  Frank has been there for me through it all.   With this guy, I have always had someone pushing me to be a better man.  His loyalty, generosity, and drive for both personal and professional happiness are second to none.  He has successfully won over the woman he dreamed of marrying, the love of his life Laura, and landed the career he always wanted.  All this while keeping family and friends close, and staying true to who he is as a man.

Not that it matters what I think, but shortly after I met Laura a few years back, I had been rooting for Frank to put a ring on it.  It is hard to describe just how nice she is.  The fact that she is easy on the eyes and makes fun of Frank certainly doesn't hurt either.  You are a wonderful woman and it is so easy to see how Frank fell in love with you.  Are you sure you don't have any single sisters?

Your wedding was beautiful and I'll forever remember being part of it.

Viva La Mexico

PS shout out to the BC Sailing and Chicago crews!      

Mark/Chops

4AM AT JFK AIRPORT-NYC.  I WAKE UP ONLY TO FIND THAT AN ARTIST PAINTED ME WHILE I SLEPT. 90% CREEPY. 10% COOL?

BEHAVING WHILE PRACTICING FOR THE WEDDING

NO LONGER BEHAVING

BC HIGH DINNER

DAY ONE IN MEXICO WITH THE GROOM TO BE!  FRANK AFTER A FEW CERVEZAS!

TWO THUMBS UP FROM LAURA JUST BEFORE GAME TIME!

PARENTS OF THE GROOM AND TWO OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.  MARY AND BUTCH.  THANKS FOR EVERYTHING OVER THE YEARS YOU TWO.

VIEW FROM THE WEDDING CEREMONY

VIEW FROM THE WEDDING CEREMONY

GAME TIME FOR LAURA AND FRANK!

WEDDING PARTY JUST BEFORE THE WEDDING

TOAST TO THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE LAURA AND MY LONG TIME BC HIGH PAL FRANK

FRANK AND MARY'S DANCE

BRIDE AND GROOM'S FIRST DANCE!

AMANDA IS IN THE ZONE ON THE DANCE FLOOR!  

JAMMIN OUT ON MY AIR GUITAR AT THE RECEPTION!

STOLE B'S WIFE AND MY DEAR FRIEND BRENNA FOR A QUICK PHOTO.  NOT SURE WHERE I AM LOOKING. 

CUNNINGHAM LANE REUNION WITH CHRISTINE!

CATCHING UP WITH THE BEST MAN MIKEY AND THE MOTHER OF THE GROOM, MARY.

KARATE KID PRACTICE WITH HAWAII'S ONE AND ONLY DAWN!

POOLING IT WITH THE NEW BRIDE!  LOVE LOVE LOVE LAURA.  FRANK IS A LUCKY MAN.

SAYING FAREWELL TO MEXICO AND MY BOYS PETE AND FRANK

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

WHARTON BUSINESS SCHOOL AND ONE CLASSY BRUNETTE

Hello All,

The other day, I made my way down to Philadelphia. The disaster response team I am with, was asked to speak at The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School.  Home to what is often thought to be the most renowned MBA program in the world.   (and perhaps the most expensive!  All in, $93,000 for 1st year students!!)

I made the trip down with my buddy Bill, the ringleader here at NECHAMA.  

Cliff notes -

listened to a professor who's expertise was in Game Theory discuss how specific types of economic policies could significantly alter the effects of natural disasters.  This was fascinating to listen to.  I took plenty of notes and wrote down no less than 10 words and theories to look up after class.  This guy was using BIG words.

Bill spoke for an hour or so and killed it.  We were all very impressed.  While loading his power point presentation, he managed to announce to the class, while pointing at me, that I was single if any of the ladies were looking for a mediocre stay at home boyfriend.  He is always looking out for me.  What a guy.

The highlight of my trip to PENN may have actually been the leggy brunette who I convinced to give me a tour of campus.  Christine Sweeney. A PENN grad herself, she showed me the finer things the campus had to offer.  This meant Ben Franklin sitting on a bench and the local WAWA store amongst other things.  Not too shabby.  Thanks for the VIP treatment Christine.  You are a doll.

A close second would have to be the Jim's cheese steaks and pizza that Bill and I crushed on the drive home.

Mark/Chops

CHECKING OUT THE FREEDOM TOWER BEFORE SPENDING A NICE SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH MY CHILDHOOD PAL NICK PEPE

CLIMBING OUT OF THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY POST LAST WEEK'S SNOWPOCALYPSE! 

DINNER WITH PAUL, A DISASTER RESPONSE ALL STAR

TWO GUYS I TRULY ADMIRE.  CHICAGO IRV AND DAN FROM MINNESOTA HAVE BOTH DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO HELPING OTHERS.  INCREDIBLE.

AT THIS MOMENT, I FELT LIKE I FIT IN PERFECTLY.  VERY INVITING ENTRANCE.

THEN I SAW THIS... NOT THAT IT WILL COME AS A SURPRISE TO ANYONE, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST CLUE WHAT I AM LOOKING AT HERE.    

NECHAMA @ THE ROCKAWAYS, QUEENS.   JEALOUS WATCHING THE SURFERS WHILE OBSERVING WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE BOARDWALK

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY WITH THAT LEGGY BRUNETTE TOUR GUIDE WHO SHOWED ME AROUND PENN!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

WHO IS LOU PUYA JR?

Hello All,

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Nechama, has been receiving requests for help from disaster victims all over New York and New Jersey.  When we take on a new case as field team leaders, we are given a work request form.  Essentially, it provides us with homeowner contact information and a description of what work needs to be done.  My first question is always who is it we are helping?  Not just their name, but more importantly, their story.  In this case, it was who is Lou Puya Jr?  It quickly became evident that nothing in my file could come close to answering this question.  Whether Lou, a single dad, was proudly recapping his son's many accomplishments, or was sharing classic tales of the 1970s rock concerts he attended in his youth, he had us sitting on the edge of our seats wanting more.  Lou is captivating.   Quick with a joke, but perhaps quicker with a compliment.  From the start, he made my volunteers and I feel like family.  He is larger than life.

If there ever was a silver lining with the storm destroying Lou's home, it's this.  It was about time for some remodeling at 27 Overton Street.  For the better part of the past two decades, Lou has been battling Multiple Sclerosis.  This, while raising a family day in and day out in a home that wasn't handicap accessible.  Can you even imagine?  Seeing Lou's strength in person takes the air from my lungs.  MS and those legs of his be damned.  Find a way to measure the strength in Lou's heart, mind, and soul, and you will find one of the strongest men in the world.

After working 150 hours with my team on Lou's home, things seem to be in line to have the rebuild done handicap accessible! Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to bring back memories destroyed by the storm, but hopefully this will be the beginning of many more happy memories for Lou and his family.

So, who is Lou Puya Jr?  How about an example to us all.  Heroes don't always need to be found in history books or throwing footballs on Sundays.  Sometimes, they are found raising a family on Long Island.

Thanks Lou

Mark Jude McGilvery

Nechama Disaster Response Field Team Leader

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HELLO STATEN ISLAND

Hello all,

since my last post, I have packed my things and gone island hopping!  From Long Island to Staten Island.  With the move, also comes a change in what I am doing on the disaster response front.

At this point, three months after the storm, a shift is being made from gutting/debris removal to the rebuild process.  That said I am about to begin my rebuild training.  Hopefully in short order, I will be leading field teams as before, but instead of on demo work sites, I will be installing insulation and dry wall amongst other things.  I am excited to learn, lead, and ultimately get folks back into their homes!

On top of the rebuild efforts, I'm going to start working on grant writing and development!  Both are also new to me, but I look forward to the challenge.  Perhaps get a haircut, put on a suit if I still own one, and make some things happen with that big mouth of mine.

I also want to thank the Americorp team from Sacramento, California that I had the privilege of working with the past week and a half or so.  It is so encouraging to see young adults with so much energy towards bettering the lives of others.  You guys were a delight to work with and game changers on the disaster response front.  Thanks for your hard work!

Finally, I'd like to say thank you, good luck, and a sad good bye to the coolest thing to come from Canada since Justin Beiber, Jess Petz.  Jess came down from Toronto almost 3 months ago and has been an invaluable asset to Nechama's disaster response efforts.  Young lady, you are classy, a bit sassy, and an absolute joy to have around.  Good luck down in Guatemala.  (Where she is headed to help develop a platform to improve and sustain women's health in impoverished communities.  Incredible!)

Mark/Chops

AMERICORP'S GOLD TEAM #5 OUT OF SACRAMENTO!

WITH THE AMERICORP ALL-STARS, WE COMPLETED WORK ON KAREN'S HOME.  MOTHER OF TWO.

CANT GET ANY CLOSER TO THE WATER HERE ON STATEN ISLAND

RED CROSS STILL HAS A STRONG PRESENCE OUT HERE.  THANKS FOR BRINGING ME LUNCH TODAY!

THIS CAR WOUND UP IN THE BACKYARD OF ONE OF OUR WORK SITES.  THING IS, THE WHOLE YARD IS COMPLETELY FENCED IN....

EN ROUTE TO STATEN ISLAND

NEVER SEEN THIS AT THE PUMP BEFORE. SICKENING.

SAYING GOOD BYES TO CANADA'S PRIDE AND JOY JESS

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days