Photography is amazing — it allows us to capture a moment in time to revisit again and again. Some of those moments are heartbreaking. We have seen its power during times of tragedy and disaster … too many times in the recent days and months.

Gratefully, photography also allows us to revisit happier times. Even as the video footage and still photos continue to document the unfathomable destruction that Hurricanes Irma and Maria wrought this fall, I was reminded of the beauty that filled many of these locales, that hopefully will return in full force again.

Coral Bay ~ St. John, USVI

Ancient Taino petroglyphs

Trunk Bay ~ St. John, USVI

Along the Reef Bay Trail.

Coral Bay Overlook ~ St. John, USVI

At the Annaberg Plantation ruins.

View from Annaberg Plantation.

St. John, USVI foliage

Share the road ~ St. John, USVI

Serene St. John, USVI

St. John, U.S.V.I. was one of the tiny islands gutted by Hurricane Irma. It still struggles to recover, as reflected by some of these recent news stories:

• A faint post-hurricane cry from the tiny island of St. John: We are here
• Disaster Recovery Center Opens in St. John for Hurricane Survivors
• Neither states nor nations, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands face rocky storm recovery

One of the local non-profits supporting post-hurricane recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the Community Foundation: http://www.cfvi.net/.  As described on the USVI Recovery website:

To help those affected by the hurricane, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has established the Fund for the Virgin Islands.

100% of your donation will benefit those in crisis.

CFVI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been operating in the USVI for more than 25 years. It has supported past relief efforts in the region and is working closely with government and community providers to identify priorities and direct resources for immediate needs as well as long-term recovery efforts.

The USVI is just one of many areas still struggling to rebuild after the devastating natural disasters earlier this year. Consider supporting these regions’ recovery funds, as you are able.

~ Kat