Aside from the recent presidential election, Hurricane Sandy has been one of the most talked about news stories throughout the media and social network sites. Sandy struck the shores Monday, Oct. 29, and as the aftermath continues to be splashed across the television, radios and newspapers, it really hits home on a personal level for a lot of people.

Being born in New Jersey and raised in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, I’ve watched and discussed with those that are close to me the path of devastation and destruction that Sandy left and how it has effected their daily lives. Many have suffered unpaid time off from work, the destruction of homes and automobiles, as well as towns that need to be completely rebuilt.

Prior to the storm some were concerned with how the hurricane would impact the shores of North Carolina and areas in the South, yet ironically the areas known for battling hurricanes received little to no damage. The Northeast however has never experienced a hurricane of Sandy’s size and now people are homeless, towns and cities are covered in wreckage and waste, millions have been without power for days and weeks, historical tourist attractions have been wiped out and the horrific memories of the tragedy continues to replay in the minds of all of those who are suffering.

REVIVE.REBUILD.RECOVER. is a slogan that’s been surfing the social media networks as an effort to spread awareness towards being New Jersey strong. Volunteers from all over have been coming to lend a helpful hand in the rebuilding and restoration process, and funds and donations are being received from many privately owned and publicly owned organizations.

As Sandy’s waves crashed across the beaches, New Jersey lost some of its major tourist attractions; Seaside Heights, Atlantic City and Point Pleasant. Water levels rose high and fast as they toppled over piers, and left most of the amusement rides floating in the ocean and the boardwalks either washed away or torn a part.

Local shops and casinos that lined some of the boardwalks, such as Atlantic City’s, were completely flooded and needed to be drained and restored, and streets ranging in distance of up to 5 blocks or more from the shoreline were covered in sand and fallen homes or businesses.

Currently, a benefit fund called “Restore the Shore” is designing and selling merchandise such as t-shirts and sweatshirts in order to expand efforts and awareness across the nation. They are also enlisting with various non-profit organizations, so that they too can sell the merchandise. 100 percent of the proceeds from the donations are being given to the American Red Cross so that benefits can go directly to the people that have been affected by Sandy.

The social media world of Facebook and Twitter have been continuously flooded with before and after pictures of the hurricane, updates on relief efforts, ways to donate and volunteer, as well as the human population’s opinions on the trials and tribulations that are ahead.

The United States has succumbed to natural disasters before and it’s expected to deal with them again in the future. Disasters and tragedies are unavoidable, but one positive thing that they teach us is how as a nation we need to work together to get people’s lives back to normal.

Right now everyone has to join together and work hard in order to rebuild and restore the upper Northeast. The shores need to be revived and if everyone stays strong and if positive efforts are continually promoted then once again we will rise above the destruction.