Bucks Mont Katrina Education Committee Continues To Help
February 28, 2007

A day in infamy is about to become a reality. I am referring to the opening of the brand new day care center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on March 13, 2007. On that day, John Otto, the project coordinator and many of his constituents will “make a difference in the life of a child.” On behalf of all of us in the field of education, I want to congratulate John Otto and his team of many, who made this worthwhile project a reality. I would best describe the opportunity to work with John Otto as a privilege.

Just this week, Arlene Zalinski, Assistant Superintendent for Pennridge School District, said that she missed my updates so it seemed fitting that I contact all of you to celebrate John Otto and his team. I am very proud to tell you that my school, Bucks County Technical High School, had a small part in the construction. However, John’s request added a significant piece in the completion of the project. Allow me to explain.

The architects rendering of the day care center included creating all twenty six letters of the alphabet in wood, painted in primary colors, to be hung across the outside of the building. John saved this part of the project with the hope that students in Bucks County would accommodate, and in so doing, the letters would be symbolic of the children from Bucks County helping the children in Mississippi. The symbolism and sentiment of the project resulted in a resounding “We’re in!” by all of us at Bucks County Technical High School.

Six seniors in the cabinetmaking class, with the guidance of their teacher, Mr. John Sellen, cut the three foot letters according to the rendering using marina wood. From there the letters went to the auto collision class under the direction of the teacher, Mr. George Kerner. Special Lamborghini paint was purchased to paint them with several coats and finished with polyurethane. The paints were selected for their longevity and guarantees the same way they would on a car. The letters were then shrink wrapped back in cabinetmaking class in preparation for their trip to Mississippi.

The letters were transported by Mr. Tom Viviano, an Assistant Principal at BCTHS, and two seniors, Brad Neville and David Payne. They left on Monday morning by van and arrived in Mississippi late Tuesday afternoon. Tom and the students hung the letters on Wednesday and headed home on Thursday arriving back in town late Friday afternoon. Tom’s background in construction and electrical work, along with the two seniors who went with him, formed the bridge between the children in Mississippi and the children in Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania. His willingness to be the sole driver on the trip was also commendable.

I would be remiss if I did not tell you that this endeavor had unanimous Joint Board approval representing six school districts and the expenses for the project and the trip were paid for by the BCTHS Parent Boosters and a $500 donation from the BCTHS Senior Class. In so doing, you now see that I meant it when I said, the response of the Bucks County Technical High School Community to John Otto was “We’re in.” As principal, I could not be prouder and equally grateful for all of the commitment on this project.

Brad Neville, a senior who made the trip to Mississippi developed a cough just prior to leaving on the trip. His determination to complete this project did not allow the cough to get in his way. Several weeks later, his mother insisted on a chest x-ray, since medication did not appear to make a difference. It was then that the doctors discovered an inoperable 2 ½ foot tumor and diagnosed it as cancer. Brad has been undergoing intensive radiation since January. The outreach to Brad and his parents by the Bucks Mont Katrina Organization is beyond the definition of generosity. Mr. and Mrs. Neville cannot put into words what Grover Friend and Bill Eastburn have done. Brad was very disappointed that he never met the children who will use the day care center. So Bill and Grover offered to fly Brad and his parents to the ribbon ceremony on March 13. Just yesterday (Feb. 26), the doctor gave the approval and said it might boost his fight.

Brad has been a child advocate for a long time. In fact, Senator Ted Kennedy called to wish him well, since Brad was very influential in promoting legislation for bike helmets and safety. In addition, he solicited 500 free helmets from companies for children in Bucks County who could not afford to buy one. When the day care heard about Brad, the children created a card and sent him a King’s cake for Mardi gras. Now you see why I consider the alphabet project a bridge between the children in Mississippi and the children in Pennsylvania.

Other great things also happened. Heckman Elementary School in Neshaminy adopted Waveland Elementary in Mississippi. The faculty at Heckman had a concert night for families. It was awesome. The group that gave the concert was music teachers from New York who performed a concert on the history of music. Parents and students were dancing in the aisles. IT WAS GREAT!!! I HIGHLY recommend them to any elementary school who wants a family night fund raiser. For more information contact Shelly Rosen at srosen@neshmainy.k12.pa.us. Shelley organized it. I attended as well as Richard and Ann Coe. They raised $2,000 and donated all of it to Waveland Elementary so they could purchase bean shaped tables. The principal in Mississippi emailed me with great joy when the tables arrived in January.

Just this week I had a call from the PTA president at Quarry Hill Elementary School in Pennsbury. They are making a $500 donation to Bay Middle School. Donations are still very much needed. Please call me if your parent group can make a donation at 215-852-4439. Donations have been very limited. Please speak with your Parent President and see if they can help.

Dave Gondalk is going to be coordinating a meeting of the Teacher-to-Teacher volunteers to see what is happening. Dave and his wife are also heading to Mississippi for the March 13 celebration. I cannot go due to the state assessments, PSSA, and quite frankly Tom Viviano would be my administrative choice to go for all of his efforts.

As fate will have it, Brad Neville will be representing all of us as the day care opens. Ironically, who better to represent the bridge between the children in Mississippi and the children in Pennsylvania than a Bucks County student, who personally helped to make John Otto’s dream a reality?

To John Otto and his team, the educators of Bucks and Montgomery Counties salute you for making the dream to replace the day care center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi a reality. Enjoy the fun and treasure the memories!

Best wishes!
Connie Rinker
Chairperson

Bucks Mont Karina Relief Education Committee
Religious Organizations Task Force
October 2006

Swinging with the Saints Concert by Jazplash on Sunday, November 5, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Doylestown. The Concert will benefit the Lutheran Church of the Pines in Waveland, MS. Sponsored by Family of God Lutheran Church in Buckingham and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Call 215-348-4004 for more information.

Pastor Exchange Program (PEP) is designed to offer assistance to pastors living in Hancock County, Mississippi. The concept is simple: pastors from churches in Bucks and Montgomery counties exchange places with a pastor from a church in Hancock County. While in Mississippi the exchange pastor not only handles pastoral duties such as worship services and visitation, but also has the opportunity to literally walk in the shoes of a pastor dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For Gulf Coast pastors, PEP provides the opportunity for spiritual and physical refreshment. For the past year, many of these pastors have been dealing with highly stressed congregations, as well as trying to get their own homes and lives back to normal. During their time here, host congregations can minister to these pastors by allowing them to relax and enjoy the many attractions of our local area. Contact Kelley for more information: lark78@verizon.net

Bay Catholic Elementary School needs a video camera. If your congregation would like to donate one, please contact Collette McBratney for more information:
Collette_McBratney@USE.SalvationArmy.Org

Adopt-a-Family – Information was previously emailed to your congregation about this program. Many families are still in need of sponsors. We are delighted to report we have had good response to this plea and two congregations have pledged $20,000 each to purchase a home to be built by the National Association of Remodelers. For more information, please contact Rich Timmons, Adopt a Family Coordinator, 215-340-9090 ext 111 or rt@timmonsandcompany.com

At this season of Thanksgiving, we encourage your congregation to pray for the continued efforts of all those who were devastated by Katrina and for all those involved in the rebuilding effort.


Katrina Construction Committee report 
August 17, 2006

Fundraising: We have currently raised just over $930,000 in cash and pledged or
Completed gifts in kind. We need another $150,000 of which $40,000 in cash gifts is pledged and expected to be in our hands this month. (See wish list)
We have a wish list circulating and continue to make progress with the remaining items.
Immediate needs are caulking, painting and stucco. Money always helps

It is also important to note the number of people from our area who have been on site working. To date 73 people men have traveled from Pennsylvania to work on the project.

All of these people have taken the time to tour the area. Many of them have told me that once they see the devastation they know why they are in Mississippi. They are all glad they have gone and have been involved. By the time we are completed as many as 120
Pennsylvanians will have worked on the site.

Schedule and Progress: We poured the foundations the week of May 8, 2006. All of this work was donated by Cavan construction to which we owe great thanks. Mike McCormick from Penn Valley Constructors Inc was on site to coordinate
.
The week of May 15, I.T. Landes installed the below grade plumbing. Greg Peak provided a backhoe to the project for the entire month and was on site to dig for Landes.
Joe D’Onofrio from Thompson Masonry installed the foundation block BY HIMSELF.
Jon Otto from Penn Valley was on site to coordinate.

Concrete slabs were poured the week of May 22, 2006 again Cavan Construction supplying the concrete and doing the work. Steve Phau of Penn Valley on site to coordinate. Vimco of King of Prussia provided concrete accessories.

The steel arrived on June 14, 2006. The Star Brothers started erection immediately
with a forklift donated by Volvo Rents of Langhorne, Pa. Unfortunately, we suffered some wind damage on Friday the 23rd with 10 roof panels representing about 10% of the roofing being damaged. These panels have been replaced and we are now fully under roof .

Mito Insulation of New Kensington Pa has contributed insulation.

Our Masonry Team, led by Bob Thompson of Thompson Masonry of Pottstown was on site July 10 to install the exterior masonry walls and reinforcing. 15 men from 6 different companies joined in the effort.

A truck provided by Hatfield Meats, thanks to the assistance of Matt Reed, delivered sprinkler pipe and accessories. Matt and Hatfield keep coming through time and time again. Advance Sprinkler Technologies owner Doug Horn was on site the week of July 10 with 2 of his associates to install the sprinkler piping. Guy Cooper Mechanical will complete the sprinkler system in September and October as the ceilings proceed.

HVAC work started on the 26th of June and continues to mesh with other work.

On the First of August Wargo interiors sent 7 men to the site accompanied by Steve Phau
Of Penn Valley making his second trip. They completed all of the framing.

Later the same week, Worth and Company sent 15 plumbers to the site and completed the entire above grade rough in.

The Week of August 7, Adams Bickel sent two carpenters to the project. Mike Fendler of Penn Valley who coordinated the loading and unloading of the truck joined them. A moving van was provided by Bob Hughes of Hughes relocation services. That truck carried all of our windows and doorframes as well as other items to the community. The Adams-Bickel/Penn Valley team installed all of the exterior windows and doors that week and was joined by the Star Brothers who are our steel erectors who came back to the site to complete their work.

August 14 through 28 the electrical rough in will be completed. On Aug. 28, Wargo Interiors will be sending a team to install the drywall.

The overall schedule remains on the mark. We intend to complete the project the first week in November.

Many companies and individuals have been extremely generous in supporting the Child Development Center. A list of donors and the Wish list is posted on our website.

We owe much to the South East Pennsylvania Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. When this project arrived almost like a baby at my doorstep back in October of last year I reached out to the ABC right away. I knew we would need their help and I knew they would give it. Give it they have, at a level, which even I, and I am by nature an optimist could not have expected.

Almost all of the gifts in kind come from their members, as does much of the cash. Jeff Zeh and Jen Huber have been active participants in committee from the very beginning. Of the 73 men from our area who have worked on the project to date, 56 are employees of ABC contractors. ABC contractors have also made significant cash gifts and provided the electrical and HVAC Design. Jeff dropped everything to be at the first meeting at Peddlers Village. I gave him literally 12 hours notice.

Jim Horn of Tri-M and Gus Perea of Adams Bickel who were South East Pa. ABC co chairmen in 2005 have both been active and supportive. Dave Thompson of Thompson Masonry who is the 2006 chairman loaned us his father to take charge of the masonry.

Gus Perea is acting as captain of the Carpentry and finish team.

Cavan construction has supplied and installed all of the concrete. This is a huge gift!

Thompson masonry is captaining the Masonry team.

Wargo Interiors is providing all of the interior framing, drywall and ceilings. This is another huge gift. Benner and White of Harleysville have now joined them
and will install the ceilings

I.T. Landes , Ferguson Industries and Worth Mechanical are providing all of the plumbing.

Angelo’s Carpet One is supplying and installing all of the floor covering with assistance from Glen Anders one of our many friends from Calvary church.

Construction Hardware is supplying all of the doors and interior windows.

These are just some of the gifts in kind from ABC members.

Jen has coordinated lodging for everyone going down to Bay St Louis.

At the June 8 meeting, Bob Thompson and Jen presented a Check for $15,000. This check represents individual contributions from employees of different member companies.
Since that time, we have received an additional check from Good Air Conditioning, an ABC member, which also contributed the HVAC design

Tri-M group of Kennet Square president Jim Horn who was co-chairman of South East Pa chapter of the ABC in 2005 with Gus Perea has been behind the project from the beginning.
He and Gus along with president Geoffrey Zeh and Vice President Jen Huber have been ever-present members of our team. When we needed an Electrical designer, Jim volunteered his company’s services. Jim joined us for the August 17 meeting to present us with an additional gift.

We again owe the South Eastern Pa Chapter of the ABC a very loud thanks!

Team Trips: Mark Glidden is with us today to share some news that I think you will all find to be very exciting.


Donations as of August 17,2006

Design
Gilmore and Assoc., Site Plan, $20,000
Eld Associated, Architectural Plans, $40,000
Leonard Busch and Assoc., Foundation Plans, $4,500
Mark Hershman and Assoc., Plumbing Plans, $6,500
Good Air Conditioning, HVAC Plans, $5,000
Accufire, Fire Suppression Plans, $5,500
Tri-M, Electrical Plans, $8,000
Design total: $89,500

Cash contributions

Byers, $50,000
Manheimer, $50,000
Otto, $50,000
Putman, $50,000
Bucks/Mont HBA, $25,000
Johnson, Kendall and Johnson, $20,000
Calvary Church, Souderton, $15,000
Muller, $15,000
Paul, $15,000
Thompson, $15,000
Southeast PA chapter of ABC, $15,000 
Penn Valley employees, $10,748
Tri-M, $10,000
R&S construction, $5,000
Dayspring Electric, $5,000
Seiffert Plumbing, $5,000
Tri Steel, $5,000
Penn Valley Constructors, $5,000
George Michael, $5,000
Dierolf Bros, $1,000
Steve Dierolf, $1,000
Steve Tiberio, $1,000
Jeff and Sally Nicholas, $500
Gazer, Kohn and Mayer, $500
Samuel E Griffiths, $500
Keystone Glass, $250
Total cash contributions: $384,248

Gifts in kind

PennValley, Project mgmt/Supervison, $50,000
Greg Peak, Excavation, $5,000
Volvo Rents, Fork lift, $4,500
Haydon Bolts, Anchor bolts, $1,500
Re-Steel, Rebar, $7,500
Cavan Construction, Concrete, $75,000
Vimco, Concrete accessories, $5,000
Thompson Masonry, Block work, $35,000
Deiner Brick, Masonry material, $1,000
Churchville Masrony, Masonry labor, $5,000
Corrado Masonry, Masonry labor, $5,000
Doug Landes Masonry, Masonry labor, $5,000
Nester Masonry, Masonry labor, $5,000
Building Systems, Masonry labor, $5,000
Star Brothers, Steel erection, $35,000
Wargo Interiors, Carpentry/ceilings, $70,000
Adams-Bickel, Carpentry labor, $5,000
Wehrung Supply, Carpentry materials
Tague Lumber, Carpentry materials
Benner and White, Ceilings
Construction Hardware, Doors/hdw, $40,000
Penn Color, Paint, $2,500
Stanley Stevens, Ceramic tile, $4,000
Angelo’s Carpet, Floor covering, $18,000
Glenn Anders, Floor covering 
I.T Landis, Below grade plumbing, $25,000
Ferguson Enterprises, Below grade material
Worth Mechanical, Above grade plumbing, $50,000
Accu Fire, Sprinkler Pipe, $7,500
Advanced Sprinkler, Sprinkler installation, $15,500
Guy Cooper, Sprinker installation
Triad, Bath accessories, $1,000
Universal Electric Service, Flag pole, $3,000
Enterprise Fleet Services, Two vans for construction crews, $10,000
Val Sigstedt, Stained glass
Hatfield Meats, Transportation
Hughes Relocation, Transportation
Total Gifts in Kind: $490,000

Total value all gifts: $963,748

BMKRP Behavioral Health Committee Report
August 17, 2006

I. Howard Savin has educated Lora Mederos as to the benefits of incorporating a prevention and resilience promotion curriculum (the DECA) into the Daycare Center when it opens later this year. This will assist teachers and parents in preventing or reducing the onset of social and emotional problems in their children. Howard has arranged for The Devereux Foundation to send a a senior team to MS in late November to conduct two days of trainng with Daycare Center staff. The Kaplan CO., publisher of the DECA, has also agreed to provide all kits and related DECA materials to the Daycare Center. This represents aproximately $5000 of "in kind" donations.

II. Biblical Seminary is sending a team of 6 counseling program graduate students to Bay St Louis August 19-26 to work with Calvary Independent Baptist to function as listeners and they will be supervised by one of the faculty and earn credits toward their degree.
Hopefully, this is the first of a number of teams they will periodically send if it meets the projected goals for the students and the people of Bay-Wave.

III. The first quarter of the funded positions for Gulf Coast Mental Health ended 7/31.
Expenditure = 10,591. Yearly projection = 65,000. total raised = 75,000
See attached report.

By His Grace,
Behavioral Health Committee
Karl Benzio, MD
Howard Savin, PhD
Bill Scofield

Religious Organizations Task Force
Meeting Minutes -- June 1, 2006

Those in attendance: Bill Barger (co-chair), Karl Benzio, Bill Eastburn, Bill Grun, Louise Heath, Kelly Royce, Rich Timmons, and Nancy Young.

Dr. Barger opened the meeting with prayer. 

Sports equipment collection at Doylestown Presbyterian Church - For the youth of Bay St. Louis, DPC is collecting sports equipment in new or good condition including: baseball and softball equipment, footballs and flags, soccer balls, basketballs, dodge balls, volleyball equipment, and camping equipment (sleeping bags, tents, backpacks). Cash donations are also greatly appreciated. The collection site is Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 Court Street. It will be held on: Saturdays, June 17 and 24 from 10 am to 1 pm. If you have questions or would like the items picked up, please contact Matt Wallace at 215-794-7652 or fivewallace@verizon.net.

Call for baseball, maintenance equipment - One of our members, Tom McBrien, is working to help the children in Waveland have a safe place to play to get a respite from the stress by helping them get their baseball field ready for ball games. He obtained 400 feet of chain link fencing and all accessories from Palisades School District to be donated to Waveland Parks & Recreation. He also secured a full-size school bus from Lehigh Christian Academy to transport the fencing and other items to Waveland. Upon arrival the bus will be donated to the city for their use in transporting volunteers, materials, etc. In order to make his effort a success the following items are needed: donate money for the gas (or gas cards) for the bus trip to Waveland or gift cards for Lowes and Home Depot for Tom to purchase items on the following list when he gets to Waveland: sporting equipment (new or used in good condition), home plate, pitcher's mound, bases, forty 60 lb. bags of Post Set, shovels, hard rakes, and wheelbarrows. Tom is departing for MS on June 16, and will be returning with the Doylestown Presbyterian volunteers on July 2. If anyone is interested in joining him on this trip, there is room for others on the bus. To drop off donations or get more information please contact Tom 610-982-5694.

Report on Katrina Benefit Concert at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
The Katrina Benefit Concert on May 21 at St. Paul's Lutheran, Doylestown, resulted in contributions of $9,647.80 for The Lutheran Church of the Pines in Waveland, MS. Participants in the Choral Festival were musical groups from these Lutheran churches: Family of God, Buckingham; Good Shepherd, Southampton; and St. Paul's, Doylestown.

Report on Work Trips - Matt Reed
Doylestown Presbyterian Church is taking a work trip to Pearlington, MS - June 24 to July 2.

Bucks County Community, Philadelphia Biblical University, and Delaware Valley College are working on possible trips and encouraging students to be volunteers this summer.

Hilltown Baptist Church is planning a trip to MS in June or July.

Other Bucks-Mont churches and religious organizations are working on possible trips for the summer.

Other Concerns
Michele Lefkowitz (katrina.relief@byerschoice.com or 215-822-6700) reminds all churches, groups and organizations that fundraising events are a perfect time to have a supply of magnets on hand for sale.

Next Meeting to Be Announced

Behavioral Health Committee
May 18, 2006, Karl Benzio, M.D.

Trip to Bay-Wave area (April 23-29): Met with Gulf Coast Mental Health Clinic B Hancock County and Project Recovery Team Leaders
· Delivered funding for 2 staff positions for one year total = $62,000 (Raised $75k)
Full-time Drug and Alcohol therapist = $29,549
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for 2 days / week = $32,400
· Helped strategize for future and ways to use volunteer listeners
· Met with many local human and social service organizations
   × Help plan for summer camps for kids
   × Working with Lora Mederos and a young woman named Joanne discussing the opportunity to implement a prevention/resilience promotion curriculum (DECA) in the new day care facility that is now under construction. Howard can get the kits donated
   × Worked with Terry Latham, Exec. Director of Hope Haven Children's Shelter. His 8 beds are the only acute residential placement option for children and adolescents in the county. Offered to assist Terry in the areas of program development and expansion of services. He is supposed to follow-up.

· Working with Biblical Seminary to send counseling program grad students down to be listeners.

· Reaching out to other local and national behavioral health entities to recruit behavioral health resources.