Niagara University biology professor Mark Gallo found inspiration to start the Hearts for Haiti campaign right in his backyard.

That effort quickly became a success, raising hundreds of dollars for Haitian relief.

Gallo wove grapevines into a heart and cross arrangement — symbolizing love and hope. He said it has been a way to unite students to help those who are less fortunate.

“Too often, college students are only focused on ‘me, and what will benefit me,’ ” Gallo said. “This event today is a way to show these students how big of an effect they can have on the lives of others.”

He said he was just trying to find a way to make a difference.

“There are so many ways we can help,” Gallo said. “While we can’t travel to Haiti, we can host food drives and collect donations. Every little bit will help the people of that country.

The college plans to earmark the funds collected so that they are used to help build schools and improve education in the Caribbean nation.

Gallo said the heart arrangements have become a collaborative effort that has attracted dozens of student volunteers.

“I have a bunch of students wanting to help arrange (the hearts) tonight and it’s Friday,” Gallo said. “It’s not often you see students willing to give up a Friday night, but in this case, it’s for the betterment of the less fortunate, and that resonates well with people.”

Gallo’s daughter, Mary, a freshman at Niagara, is surprised at how students have responded to the efforts.

“This event brings all kinds of people together,” she said. “There are dozens of different clubs and student groups out here for one reason — to help the people of Haiti.”

The heart and cross arrangements cost $5 dollars for students, and orders are being taken from the general public by contacting Gallo at mgallo@niagara.edu.

The Gallagher Center was transformed Friday into a gathering of support for Haiti as a band played music native to the island. Food was sold, with the proceeds to go to relief efforts. There was a collection of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items being shipped directly to those in need by members of Yotvata Community Church in Kenmore.

David Blackburn, director of multicultural and international student affairs, said the event appealed to people on campus, partially because of the college’s large Caribbean student population.

“We have two students who have mothers that were missing in Haiti and have been found since,” Blackburn said. “The impact of these students’ situations have had a tremendous effect on our students.”

A North Buffalo minister, who was born and raised in Haiti, collected items at the college. He assures they will be delivered to those most in need.

Hundreds of items were collected throughout the day, and the Rev. Walter Thermidor of Yotvata Community Church said that his congregation will ship the products out on Mercy Flight International sometime next week.

“People, when they see those in need, they try to supplement that need, and our appreciation for those people cannot be described in words,” Thermidor said.