While the image of dejected families picking through soggy rubble and telling of despair has disappeared from most news sources, the disastrous effects of this year's tropical storms have all but faded for those who were most affected.
Tropical storm Jeanne hit the Caribbean and southern parts of the United States in October, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
Jeanne was the last and most devastating in a succession of tropical disturbances that passed through Haiti this year. The storm left 3,000 Haitians dead and hundreds of thousands homeless.
"Haiti was hit by four hurricanes," said the Rev. Pedro Castro, a UB campus minister. "They already have economic problems, and are going through political transitions. Money, clothing, and staple goods were needed to help families."
Castro and his church did more than simply acknowledge the devastation in Haiti. He worked with churches throughout the Northeast, including locations like New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Western New York, to raise a total amount of $50,000 in support money to be sent to areas destroyed by hurricanes.
According to Castro, Haiti is desperately in need of clothing, food and money to begin its recovery, and received the majority of money raised.
The First Episcopal District, including Castro's own Grace Community Church, has church branches located in Haiti, and the community rallied together to send much-needed aid to the struggling nation.
Throughout November, the First Episcopal District collected a substantial amount of monetary donations from its constituents around the country.
"Because we are a connectional church we believe in reaching out to people," said Castro. "The entire district donated generously to help families who experienced loss."
Of the $50,000 raised, half was sent to Haiti, allowing the country to dispense it in the ways they saw fit. The district also sent $13,000 worth of goods and supplies to the country.
The money, food and clothing were sent directly to a bishop in Haiti who distributed it to community centers and churches throughout the country. Remaining funds raised were sent to American states that had also been hit hard by the tropical storms.
"We raised almost $20,000 cash to go to Florida, Alabama and New Orleans to help with hurricane relief," said Castro.
UB's Haitian Student Association gave Castro a hearty round of applause when he announced how much his organization had raised for the relief fund at an HSA meeting last month.
"It is always uplifting and wonderful to see people concerned with the tragedy that took place in Haiti," said Shana Malette, activities coordinator for HSA. "It provides a source of encouragement for those who have survived the hurricane and others who have participated in the island's recovery."
HSA has set up their own relief fund, and according to Malette, students have responded generously with food, clothing and monetary donations.
"Our intentions were to raise up to $1,000 by the end of the semester," she said. "But people are continuing to donate so we extended it to next semester."
According to Malette, the concern and generosity of people like the Rev. Castro are essential to more than just the island's physical recovery.
"Despite the island's rich history, throughout recent years it has become impoverished and suffered from so many atrocities that the people have become distraught and they need to know that people still care," said Malette. "Hopefully this will offer them a sense of hope and encouragement to restore the island to its original prosperity."
