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

THANKS UNCLE BILLY

Hello All,

It has been a little while.  This past week was really something else.  So, we all know that person in our lives who can sort of do it all.  Fix the leaky faucet.  Get your car to start.  Demolish a shed!  Well, maybe you don't know that guy, but I do.  My Uncle Billy.  The guy can do it all, and to top it off, he doesn't have a bad bone in his body.  I absolutely love having him around.

Well, I was lucky enough to have him come down to Long Island, NewYork, to join the Nechama Disaster Response Team this past week!  After about 10 minutes on the job, it was beyond clear that he could take my job as field team leader immediately if he wanted to.  Not only was he dominating our work sites, but his engaging personality and skills had everyone gravitating towards him to see him in action.

A while back, I made reference to my desire to have more experiences in my life to hang my hat on.  Memories that would stand the test of time.  Well, getting the chance to live and work alongside a man that I have looked up to my whole life, certainly counts as one of those experiences.  Uncle Billy, over the years you have made a real difference in my life, and those down here in New York wont soon forget what you have done for them as well.   It is an honor and a privilege to call you my uncle.

Love,
Mark

ZERO DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH THE WIND CHILL AS WE SURVEY OUR DEMO JOB ON LONG ISLAND!

UNCLE BILLY IN ACTION!

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SHED

OUR HOME OWNER/VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER JOHN GETTING IN ON THE DEMO JOB!

UNCLE PULLING DOWN WALLS AT WILL

JOB COMPLETE!  UNCLE BILLY AND ME STANDING WHERE THE SHED HAD BEEN.  TOP NOTCH DEMO JOB DONE IN RECORD TIME!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

HELLO 2013!

Hello all,

I am checking in from Long Island, New York.  I am still out here serving as a Disaster Response Field Team Leader.  Over the past two months, we have coordinated over 1,500 volunteers working at our home sites!   With 10,000+ hours of service in the books, our field teams have completed work on over 100 homes and counting!!  Simply remarkable effort!  Below are some pictures from the past few weeks.

I hope all is well and best of luck with 2013!  

Mark/Chops

BC HIGH CLASS OF 2001 GETTING THINGS DONE ON LONG ISLAND! ME, BILL, AND MY TWIN BROTHER KEITH WHO CAME DOWN TO VOLUNTEER RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

GREAT VISITING WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE!  LOVE THESE TWO!

CLEMSON REUNION WITH SMITHAZ AND GWA!  

HANGING OUT WITH MOM AND DAD!

PLAYING PRINCESSES WITH THE D'AMBRA GIRLS!  THEY HAD ME WRAPPED AROUND THEIR FINGERS.  ADORABLE.  KEVIN AND JEN, GOOD LUCK WITH THEM!

NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN POLAR BEAR CLUB! ABOUT TO JUMP IN THE OCEAN WITH THOUSANDS OF AWESOME PEOPLE ON NEW YEARS DAY!

MADE IT OUT IN ONE PIECE WITH MY DISASTER RESPONSE PARTNER IN CRIME, ZACK!

BEFORE PICTURE AT ONE OF OUR SITES.  WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE, CAN KILL YOU.  MOLD BEHIND THE DRY WALL AND SEVERELY COMPROMISED HARD WOOD FLOORS. EVERYTHING MOST GO.

AFTER 3 DAYS OF GUTTING, LOU'S HOME IS READY FOR THE REBUILD!

A COMPLETELY GUTTED CRAWL SPACE.  NECESSARY IN ORDER TO INSTALL NEW INSULATION 

DEBRIS REMOVED FROM THE 1,200 SF HOME ABOVE!

ABOVE IS PART OF MY FIELD TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEMO WORK!  SITTING IS LOU, OUR HOME OWNER WHO IS BATTLING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS LIKE A CHAMPION!  HE IS  ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL GUYS I HAVE EVER MET!  LOVE HIM AND SO HAPPY THAT THE REBUILD WILL PROVIDE HIM WITH A HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE HOME! I HAVE TO GET HIM A CLEMSON HAT THOUGH!

SAYING GOOD BYES TO FELLOW FIELD TEAM LEADER, MITCH.  GREAT GUY!

THE "A" TEAM AFTER FINISHING TWO HOME SITES IN ONE DAY!  LUCKY DAY FOR GREG AND MYSELF.  LOVELY LADIES!

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

UPDATE FROM LONG ISLAND

Hello All,

Quick update from Long Island, NY.  Below is a letter that was sent to me this week.  Unreal. 

"Hi, my name is Avery.  I'm 9 years old.  Thank you so much for helping out my grandparences.  I appresheate you helping out other people.  I know people need shelter, clothes, and food.  Thats why I rased $500.  

Love, 

Avery"

No Avery, thank you.  Incredible.

Mark/Chops

THIS IS WHY I'M DOING WHAT I DO.  A LETTER FROM 9YR OLD AVERY AFTER HEARING WE WORKED AT HER "GRANDPARENCES" HOME.

DINNER TABLE AFTER A DAY IN THE FIELD. 

ZACK AND ME AT STATE RADIO'S WEBSTER HALL, NEW YORK CITY SHOW!

THESE GUYS ARE THE DIFFERENCE MAKERS!  THANK YOU.

LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES.  YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET.  27 CATS IN THIS HOME.

CANADA'S PRIDE AND JOY, JESS, AND OUR BUTT KICKING CARGO VAN!

SEVERAL FEET OF OCEAN SAND CAME UP THROUGH THE FOUNDATION.  YOU CAN SEE THE WATER LINE ON THE WALLS.  ONE OF THE WORST HOMES I HAVE SEEN TO DATE

STEVEN AND MITCH WORKING HARD ON OUR MUCK OUT JOB LAST WEEK!

THE A TEAM!  TEAMING UP WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE CONSERVATION CORP, MITCH FROM WISCONSIN (WHO ALSO SERVES OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMY.  THANK YOU)

WHO YA GONNA CALL?  GHOST BUSTERS!.. I MEAN NECHAMA!

LOITERING IN FRONT OF THE MET IN NYC WITH SOME OF THE NECHAMA ALL STARS!

LONG STORY... MY FIELD TEAM HAD TIME TO TAKE PICTURES, BUT NO TIME TO HELP.   SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE DOG.  SOME DAYS THE HYDRANT.

ANOTHER STELLAR GUTTING JOB BY NECHAMA!

JESS, ZACK, AND MEGAN WITH MS CHERRY.   THE PRIOR PICTURE WAS HER BASEMENT.  ALL SMILES.  GREAT TO SEE

YEAH, OKEEFE'S WEDDING WAS FUN.

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

MY QUEEN OF QUEENS

Evening,

This morning, I arrived at her home to find her freezing and starving.  I mean that very literally.  She has been living alone in her home in East Rockaway, Queens since the storm.  Pushing a month and a half.  39 DAYS. 39 NIGHTS.  No family to take her in.  No shelter to be found.  Aside from 4 walls and a roof, 68 Waldo Ave hardly resembles a home.  Shoddy electricity compromised by the storm/flooding.  Working just enough to start a house fire given time, and to electrocute me pretty good when I put my hand on one of the light switches by the door, shooting pain up my arm into my shoulder and chest.  Also, NO HEAT.  Mind you, it was hardly above 30* last night and only getting colder.  As I made my way to the door, I could hear her call out to me.  "Mark, Im freezing!".  I will never ever ever forget hearing that.  Ever.  How on earth are we allowing for people to live like this?  It's so unacceptable.  My stomach turns and my heart aches.

Ms. Cedeno is my mother's age, and like my mother, a woman I'll think fondly of and draw inspiration from, until the day I die.  We come from completely different walks of life.  I cannot begin to relate to the hardships she has had to endure in her life.  Even before the storm, every day was a struggle for her to make ends meat and get by.  Me, well lets be honest, I've had it easy.  Despite our endless differences, she has quickly captured my heart.

After getting Ms. Cedeno in my car, wrapped in BC High sweatshirts, and eating plain turkey sandwiches, I was on a mission to find a warm place for her to stay.  It was taking every ounce of me not to break down and cry.  Why is an unknown 30 year old man from Boston the first person to take interest in this beautiful woman's well being in Queens?

7 hours later, after trips to City Hall and 2 FEMA stations spread out around Long Island, we were able to secure Ms. Cedeno warm shelter, a hot shower, and food.  Throughout the day, I had the privilege of getting to know quite a bit about my new friend.  She is an incredible woman, tough as nails, while possessing a beautiful smile.  The smile became apparent each time I tried to speak spanish, Ms. Cedeno's first language.  I think sometimes she was laughing with me, other times, certainly at me.

As I was saying my good byes to Ms. Cedeno at FEMA's HQ tonight, she embraced me in a big hug and called me her angel.  I cried the whole way home.

Ms. Cedeno, you are my queen of Queens.

Mark/Chops

ps..I can't thank my partners in crime at NECHAMA enough.  Your work inspires me to want to do more.   Having you in my corner today, and everyday, means the world to me.

MY QUEEN OF QUEENS, MS. EDITA CEDENO

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days.