Support for Our Gannon Family Affected By Hurricane Disasters

Posted: October 4, 2022

The end of September was marked by significant devastation brought by hurricanes to the Caribbean and to Florida. We are making efforts to connect with and support our students in the affected areas to assure them of our closeness and our prayers. 

Our Ruskin family has experienced the force of Hurricane Ian as our students, faculty and staff are working to return to campus. While the campus did not experience major disruption, many of the communities where our students, faculty and staflive suffered from power outages, lack of access to fuel and supplies and inability to access internet and phone communication. Some even lost much, if not all their property from flooding. While we’re grateful that everyone is safe, the physical and spiritual trauma is still present as communities seek to recover.

In our Erie family, several of our students from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic have shared the impact of Hurricane Fiona on their villages. While the metropolitan areas did not experience significant damage, small communities and villages are still without power and access to needed supplies. 

Gannon University is activating the Hurricane Relief Fund which will be used to assist hurricane victims, especially in our Gannon family. We will also look to contributing to the efforts of trusted community partners (e.g., Catholic Charities, United Way, American Red Cross).

If you may wish to contribute, you may donate on-line at: www.gannon.edu/give. 

You are welcome to bring monetary donations to Campus: In Erie--the Office of Mission and Ministry in Keim Commons. In Ruskin: Lynzie Sauls in the Central Building. Please make checks payable to "Gannon University" and put "Hurricane relief" on the memo line. 

We lift up in prayer all those who have been affected by the hurricane and flooding as well as those providing assistance and aid. May God bless them with safety and courage.

Peace,

Fr. Michael Kesicki