on your MARK, get set, go!: Fall 2014: A SEASON FILLED WITH GREAT PEOPLE, MUSIC, AND MEMORIES

Hello all,

Since the middle of this past summer, I have been living and working with our flood response team in Detroit, Michigan. The city and many of the surrounding suburbs were hit with some epic flooding in August and needed all the help they could get.

That said, there are really three things needed for us to do our work. Disasters. Volunteers. Funding. We had the epic disaster in Detroit as thousands of homes flooded, but there was NO guarantee on obtaining a volunteer work force or funding for the project. (volunteer flow/funding were compromised partly due to the local economy and minimal regional/national media exposure as many other things were taking the headlines over the summer when the flooding hit. i.e. Ferguson, Middle East conflicts etc..Detroit floods were in and out of the news in a blink of an eye)

With a great deal of uncertainty surrounding just how we would make the Detroit response work, one thing was certain. The people of Detroit needed our help and we were going to do whatever we could to bring relief. We'd worry about clearing the other hurdles as we went. We put on our big boy and big girl pants, rolled up our sleeves, and dug in deep. Really deep. Organizationally, our Detroit flood response has been our largest undertaking since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

With the help of some truly beautiful people and organizations, our team was able to bring completely FREE flood relief to families in need for 3+ months. As a result, 10,000+ hours of labor was provided, which allowed us to complete flood cleanup for 262 families in need. Our efforts did not go unnoticed! A few funding and volunteer streams presented themselves as a result of the impact we were quickly making in the city. The credit for this goes to the entire team!

In my 2+ years of responding to disasters nationwide, our response here in Detroit may in fact be what I am most proud of. The fabric of NECHAMA is the people, and we are fortunate to have some of the all time greats. There were huge hurdles and uncertainties involved with this project from day one, but we faced them head on together, knowing Detroit was in need. Many remarkable folks sacrificed so much of themselves for months on end, to put the needs of others far before their own.

To the team at NECHAMA, you know who you are, I am proud and fortunate to stand by the side of such dedicated and passionate men and women working towards bettering the lives of others. I learn from and am inspired by each of you every moment of every day.

Thank you for continuing to change my world as we work together to CHANGE THE WORLD.

Mark/Chops

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

Detroit: Obviously there are major socioeconomic issues plaguing the city these days. It was gut wrenching to see the conditions that I was finding family after family living in, conditions that existed long before the floods. It is estimated that 40%+ of the inner city are living in poverty. 40%!! It would take someone much smarter than me to figure out how to fix it all. I met hundreds and hundreds of people here that have faced adversity that I certainly never have, or would wish upon anyone. However, a few things were crystal clear to me. These men, women, and children here in Detroit are as tough as any I have ever met. They are also some of the most gracious and respectful. I won't soon forget you all opening your homes and arms to us. I have a lot to learn from each of you and your strength is an example to us all. Opportunity is what is needed here. A hand up. Not a hand out.

My travels lately have allowed me some wonderful opportunities outside of work as well. I have been fortunate to share some truly memorable experiences with some truly memorable folks. Additionally, music has always been a big part of the journey for me. During both my time in Detroit and my recent trip down to Tennessee, hosted by the 2009 world champion freestyle swimmer and the cutest doctor in Nashville, Ms. Kara, I was able to take in Motown and the mecca of country music! Thank you!

Just landed in Boston for the first time in a long time!

200 HOMES AND COUNTING IN DETROIT! THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

GETTING IT DONE WITH SOME MUSCLE! THEIR MUSCLE. I DON'T HAVE ANY.

250 HOMES AND COUNTING COMPLETED IN DETROIT!

CONFLICTED TO INCLUDE THIS, BUT THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT DETROIT NEEDS HELP. 50,000+ ABANDONED BUILDINGS IN THE CITY.

TWO GUYS I LEARN FROM EVERY DAY. TRAVIS AND DAN. THANKS FELLAS.

HARDEST PART OF LEAVING DETROIT MAY HAVE BEEN HAVING TO PART WAYS WITH MS. CHARLOTTE. HER PARENTS ARE OK...

WORLD'S BEST BABYSITTER. DAD'S ALSEEP ON THE COUCH!

WHO KNEW MIDWEST HAD FOLIAGE!

DETROIT'S OWN FRANKIE BALLARD DOMINATING AT THE HISTORIC FILLMORE THEATRE! WHITE T SHIRT SINGING ON THE EDGE OF THE BALCONY!

I'M ABOUT TO CROWD SURF...

CLEMSON'S OWN LEE BRICE LIVE @ THE FILLMORE!

THE INCREDIBLE KELLEIGH BANNEN FOLKS AT THE FILLMORE. ONE OF US HAS THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL...ONE OF US LOOKS HOMELESS...

CHASE RICE PLAYING DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS!

DREAM COME TRUE. GARTH BROOKS WITH 20,000 OF MY BEST FRIENDS! LOTS OF FLANNEL!

TERRIBLE PICTURE. INCREDIBLE ATMOSPHERE AT GARTH BROOKS!

ROAD TRIPPING IN IOWA. WINTER IS COMING!

MADE IT TO IOWA TO SEE AMERICORPS NCCC CLASS 20 GRADUATE. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!

GRAND OLE OPRY! NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE WITH MS. KARA! DREAM COME TRUE.

HIKING THE NATCHEZ TRACE IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE WITH MS. KARA! CHECK OUT THE NECHAMA T SHE IS WEARING! IM BEHIND BECAUSE I AM NOT IN SHAPE AND SHE IS...