FLOOD RESPONSE TEAM ON THE GROUND IN MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS!

Hello All,

I made my way from New York to Minneapolis earlier in the week where we were prepping to send out a flood response team to the Midwest.  After a few days strategizing in the twin cities, I have made my way to McHenry County, IL.

I have spent the last few days with my good pal Dan Hoeft, taking meetings with emergency management teams in the county, and assessing the damage and subsequent needs of the flooded homes/homeowners in this part of the country.  There is certainly a great deal of work to be done here.  We just need the water levels to drop a bit more so we can get to work!

Below is a look at what we are seeing on the ground.


Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

I FOUND JUSTIN BEIBER! I MEAN CLEMSON'S JIM LEE IN EDEN PRARIE MINNESOTA

BOOTS ON THE GROUND WITH DAN IN THE HEART OF THE MIDWEST

OLMSTED COUNTY, MINNESOTA SUNSET.  CONGRATS AGAIN TO NEWLYWEDS RYAN AND BETH OLMSTED!

ASSESSING WATER LEVELS AND DAMAGE IN  MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS WITH DAN

CLOSING IN ON THE FLOOD DAMAGE

JUST RIGHT OF CENTER YOU CAN SEE PUMPS IN ACTION SHOOTING WATER OUT TO THE STREET

DAN AND ME DISCUSSING OPTIONS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS WITH THE LOCALS IN HOLIDAY HILLS, ILLINOIS

MONITORING WATER LEVELS

AND EVERYWHERE ELSE TOO

HOMEOWNERS IN THE BACK GET TO DRY LAND BY THE CANOE IN THE FRONT  BY THE TRACTOR

SAND BAGS WERE NO MATCH FOR HISTORICALLY HIGH WATER LEVELS

ONCE A ROAD, NOW A RIVER

LIVING ON AN ISLAND....

AFTER A DAY OF CANVASSING THE AREA, WE STOPPED FOR SOME RIBS!

BUSY WEEK DEPLOYING TO THE MIDWEST FLOODS!

THANK YOU NEW YORK. THANK YOU BOSTON. HELLO MIDWEST.

Hello All,

After 6 months on the ground with NECHAMA's Superstorm Sandy deployment team in New York and New Jersey, it is with very mixed emotions that I am on the move.

Together, we have been able to accomplish some extraordinary things.  To date, we have led almost 2,000 volunteers on projects to repair 180+ homes and counting since October's storm.  There is an incredible team in place here committed to another year of rebuilding efforts.  NECHAMA's field team leaders, logistics team, and volunteers have proven to be some of the very best and will continue to dominate in their efforts of rebuilding the hearts and homes of survivors here on Long Island.  So exciting.

As we move into the heart of spring, nationwide needs are on the rise for disaster response services.  At present, the Midwest is taking on a lot of rain.  With water levels on the rise, combined with the erratic thawing and freezing patterns disrupting the flow of rivers like the Mississippi and Red River coming down from the North, river banks are predicted to breach, leading to potentially devastating flooding.

I am off to NECHAMA's National Headquarters in Minnesota to prepare for our flood response deployment in the Midwest.  At present, a final destination for our efforts has not been determined.  I just want to be ready to fly when the moment comes.  Which, from the sounds of things, may be any moment.

Like the heroic actions of many surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings, the work being done to repair New York also strengthens my faith in humanity.  Although the circumstances surrounding these two events are completely different, you all have continued to lend hands and hearts to those in need and I am proud of each one of you for this and more.

Thank you.

Looking forward to catching a Midwestern sunrise in the morning and getting to work.  Below, a few pictures from my final week or so in New York.

Mark/Chops

 The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

NECHAMA DISASTER RESPONSE DURING LUNCH BREAK. THE INCREDIBLE JESS AND KAT, AND A TERRIBLE KICKER!

SPENT 6 MONTHS WITH THIS CHAMP.  RHTHYM ROSS FROM CHICAGO!

SUNDAY FUNDAY WITH SWEENEY IN NYC

TIMBO AND DANO VISIT NYC!

WHERE DO YOU THINK I AM RUNNING?

TO RUN INTO THE OCEAN ON LONG ISLAND IN APRIL AFTER A GREAT  DAY ON THE JOB SITE 

BC HIGH'S DAN V PUTTING ON A CLINIC  WITH CEILING DRY WALL INSTALATION

BILL, DAN V, AND ME VISITING BROOME IN RYE, NY.  

INCREDIBLE GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS FROM BOSTON CAME DOWN TO VOLUNTEER FOR APRIL VACATION!

NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH KATNISS EVERDEEN. INCREDIBLE PHOTOBOMB BY ZACK!

THE ONLY WAY I AM BEATING STARBUCK IS TO KNOCK HIM OUT BY DROPPING THIS.

WILL MISS THESE GUYS!  GOOD LUCK WITH THE COAST GUARD STARBUCK!   GOOD LUCK IN AFRICA ZACK!

SUPPORT PAT AND JESS

Hello all,

As I posted yesterday, Pat and Jess were unfortunate victims of Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon.  The link below will direct you to a fundraising page to help support their road to recovery.  

Thanks for your support!

Mark/Chops

PAT AND JESS' RECOVERY FUNDRAISING PAGE

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

BOSTON HEARTACHE

Hello all,

I don't know what to say that hasn't been said already.  Boston, the victims and their families etc: you are on my mind.

Pat Downes, an old pal of mine from BC High, and his wife, were victims of yesterday's bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  Knowing Pat, it will take a lot more than a bomb to keep this guy down.  Heart of gold and tough as nails.  I am thinking of you and Jessica.

Mark/Chops

DOWNES!

BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2001.  WE ARE THINKING OF YOU AND JESSICA.  PAT IS FAR RIGHT CRUSHING IT IN THAT WHITE TUXEDO!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Hello All,

Last night I had the privilege of representing NECHAMA Jewish Response To Disaster, while serving as the guest speaker at a fundraising dinner at Cornell University.  It was a great opportunity to bring awareness to the ongoing needs of the Superstorm Sandy survivors here in New York/New Jersey, as well as to the overall need for support with disaster responses nationwide.

I opened my speech with a joke.  This isnt't going to surprise any of you, but it tanked.  Luckily, I was able to overcome that, and the terrible haircut I received in preparation for last night's event that left me looking like Dwight from The Office, and addressed the crowed of a few hundred.

Anyways, it was a wonderful experience.  To my new friends at Cornell, thank you again for choosing to support NECHAMA'S mission of trying to repair the world one person/home/family at a time.

Below are some pictures from my recent weekend in Boston.  Lucky to have caught up with some awesome friends.

Mark/Chops

ME AND MY NEW HAIRCUT.  DWIGHT FROM THE OFFICE

HIKING OUTSIDE BOSTON WITH SOME GREAT FOLKS 

BILLY BEING BILLY.  I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I WAS IMPRESSED!

MADE IT BACK ALIVE WITH TIMBO 

TIMBO AND JULES.  JULES IS AWESOME.

BOWLING TOURNAMENT WITH MY BOSTON SOCCER CLUB! LAFIF!

MA CHA SHIK AND MEG!  NO DANO, BY DESIGN

THE THREE TO MY RIGHT ARE WHY WE HAD UNDEFEATED SEASONS AND WON CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SHANE: A FORCE ON THE GREATER BOSTON PROFESSIONAL BOWLING CIRCUT.!

MY SISTER SUSAN HITTING HOME RUNS OFF ME ON EASTER SUNDAY!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

WHAT A YEAR!

Hello All,

A year ago, I tossed my Blackberry off a cliff and set off in hopes to change my life.  I saw my life passing me by and I needed to make a change.  I needed to get busy living.  I took off with my BUCKET LIST and a backpack.  I wouldn't have done it any other way.  Thanks to everyone along the way that have helped make this all possible.  Far too many of you to mention.  Most dream of the life they want to live.  I'm fortunate enough to be living it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDER BROTHER BRIAN!

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GUY!

365 DAYS AROUND THE WORLD.  10s OF THOUSANDS OF MILES.  MILLIONS OF MEMORIES

SURFED AROUND THE WORLD WITH OLD FRIENDS AND NEW ONES

MY TWO BIGGEST SUPPORTERS ON MY MISSION TO TAKE ON THE WORLD AND CHANGE MINE.  MOM AND DAD.

BC HIGH'S SUPERSTORM SANDY DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM.  BILL AND MY TWIN, KEITH

CLEMSON TIGER!

CHANNELING MY COLLEGIATE ROWING DAYS...

ABOUT TO ENTER PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA'S PRISON CELL ON ROBBEN ISLAND, SOUTH AFRICA. NO DOUBT MY LIFE CHANGED THAT DAY.

BACKFLIPPIN IN THE JUNGLE

 HIKING THE GREAT DIVIDE AND VOLCANOS

TAKING ON HAWAII WITH MIKEY!

HEAVEN ON EARTH

ALSO HEAVEN ON EARTH

I BECAME A DISASTER RESPONSE FIELD TEAM LEADER & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST @ NECHAMA.  THEY ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD AND I'M PROUD TO BE RIDING THEIR COATTAILS.

ABOUT TO GO FACE TO FACE WITH A GREAT WHITE

SAILED AROUND THE WORLD

HIKED 4 CONTINENTS

THE CHILDREN OF KUSASA CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

WORKING ON THE GOLF SWING IN A LAND DOWN UNDER

TREKKING COASTLINES EVERYWHERE

NOT A BAD SPOT TO REFLECT ON THE DAY

TESTING HOW TOUGH I WAS BY KICKBOXING WITH PROS IN THAILAND

TRIED TO CATCH EVERY SUNRISE AND SUNSET AROUND THE GLOBE

I'D GO WITH THIS MAN ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET.  DAVID BERNARD AND ME ON THE TOP OF THE ROCKIES

IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY

NICK AND BETSY'S WEDDING!  LAWRENCE, KANSAS

MARYBETH AND ME!

OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON STATE WITH MY MAN KULA!

DANO AND MEG'S WEDDING - NEW JERSEY

LITHUANIA'S FIRE AND ME TAKING ON CALIFORNIA!

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY 

BIG SUR

SOLO TREK IN BACKCOUNTRY ALASKA

ONE MAN WOLF PACK IN THE MIDDLE OF A 60 MILE EXPEDITION 

DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM WITH A HERO, LOU

WHAT CAN I SAY?

CALM BEFORE THE STORM - SOUTH AFRICA SHARK DIVING

LEAVING CIVILIZATION

JANUARY 1ST, 2013.  NEW YORK CITY CONEY ISLAND POLAR BEAR CLUB!

ANOTHER ONE OF MY HEROES.  DAN HOEFT.  A LEADER IN DISASTER RESPONSE.  THIS GUY CHANGES LIVES!  

15,000 FT OVER THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND FALLING FAST!

SHADY'S WEDDING - BOSTON

WALKING AROUND THE WORLD

ME AND MOM THE DAY I LEFT THE UNITED STATES, APRIL 8TH, 2012

JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT

OKEEFE'S WEDDING!

BRENDAN'S WEDDING - BOSTON

MAN-V-WILD SURVIVAL TRAINING - DAY 7 ON THE WAY OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.  LIFE CHANGING MONTH IN AFRICA

ALI AND ROBBIN'S WEDDING - PENNSYLVANIA

DAVE AND KATHRYN'S WEDDING!  LOVE THIS GUY!  - MASSACHUSETTS

BRAD AND AMY'S WEDDING! - CHARLESTON , SC

BEING REALLY DUMB WITH AN OLD FRIEND.  HOW MANY CLEMSON GRADS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A CEILING FAN?

SNEAKING ON THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE'S PRIVATE BALCONY IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING WITH BLAKE.  CAN YOU SAY TRESPASSING?

SPYING ON THE NEW YANKEE STADIUM WITH MY BOYS DANIEL AND KENNY

3 MAN WOLFPACK GETTING INTO SOME TROUBLE! SMITHAZ AND GWA! LOVE THESE GUYS

DISASTER RESPONSE - HOBOKEN, NJ

GETTING KICKED OUT OF CANADA!

NECHAMA JEWISH RESPONSE TO DISASTER  - THE ROCKAWAYS - NEW YORK 

DINNER BEFORE FRANK'S BIG DAY!

FRANK AND LAURA'S WEDDING - MEXICO

CROSS COUNTRY TRIP WITH MY BOY STARBUCK

I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU GUYS - FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES....