It is hard to forget the devastation caused by last year's October storm. The freak act of nature that hit unexpectedly wreaked havoc throughout Western New York during its course and the effects were felt for months afterwards. Even as the area recovered, there has always been one lingering problem that acted as a constant reminder to that destructive storm last fall, the fractured remains of damaged trees that littered every neighborhood throughout WNY. However, all of that is changing.

Local Organization Re-Tree WNY has set out on a mission, and their task force is widespread. The goal is to plant one new tree for every old one that was lost during last year's fateful storm. With such an enormous task at hand, members from the community far and wide have come together to contribute to the Re-Tree effort.

Jim Pavel is president of Keep Western New York Beautiful, the parent organization for Re-Tree WNY; he spoke of the generosity of local organizations and citizens in their contributions towards the group, saying "hundreds of people and organizations have joined in. The News has been our primary sponsor, and has raised over $350,000 for the Re-Tree effort, and we've had another $50,000 to $60,000 worth of funds that have been contributed to the effort from others." Twenty-two hundred trees were planted in the first year alone, and he says that this year "we have been able to designate about $110,000 for the municipal planting for the city of Buffalo and also for eleven other towns and villages throughout Erie County that were effected by the storm, as well as to the Olmsted Conservancy." With help from citizen groups, major corporations, as well as from the Congressional Delegation, Pavel is certain that Re-Tree is prepared for at least the next two years. "Together, we are going to be able to lick this problem."

Funds contributed to Re-Tree WNY are not only able to provide the trees crucial for planting, but also the equipment needed, and the training necessary in order to plant safely and correctly. Education classes are given so that volunteers are not only equipped with the desire to make a difference, but also the skills to carry out the effort properly.

The passion for the growth and beautifying of Buffalo was evident within all the volunteers who charged the frost-bitten Squaw Island to join the re-planting effort. Members from the community were out in full force, with volunteers from the University at Buffalo, Buff State, Erie Community College, Amherst High School, McKinley High School, The Girl Scouts, Riverside Block clubs, and dozens of other groups and individuals working together to better the environment. Members of Circle K at UB and Alpha Epsilon Pi at Buff State spoke of their high regard for the effort, and the importance of giving back to the community. Jon Cooper, a History major and Alpha Epsilon Pi member from Buff State, says that his fraternity often helps within the community, raising awareness for poverty and also working to better the environment. Fellow fraternity brother Scott Winokur said that the guys are "always helping out with the planting." Jon summed up their sentiments, "Buff State and Buffalo have done a lot for us, and so we feel that this is the least we could do to help out."

In addition to the mass group effort, Congressman Brian Higgins showed up to express his gratitude towards the Western New York community and their efforts to create a better city for all. Reminiscing on the city's journey to where we are today, he spoke with the utmost support and respect for its progress. "It is a real community effort, and to think how far we have come in one year relative to when we started re-planting trees throughout the city of Buffalo, you see that it is really an extraordinary community effort. Government can't do it on its own, and that's what these efforts are all about. It's not top down; it's bottom up, and it's a community initiative that is obviously very successful, and there is tangible evidence that everyone is involved all over the place."

Five hundred trees were successfully planted at Saturday's Squaw Island event. Organizers promised that the effort would be out in full force until every last tree was planted. At a rate of at least one tree being planted per minute, it was never easier to see why Buffalo is known for being the city of good neighbors, and what community service is all about.

For more information on Re-Tree WNY, or if you would like to become a volunteer, go to their website at www.ReTreeWNY.org.

Click here to see more pictures from this event on Buffalo.com/Spotted.