Community Efforts | Herald Community Newspapers

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District held a collection drive that brought in hundreds of donations for local victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Bellmore-Merrick Central District aids in Sandy relief effort

Seemingly out of nowhere, a pickup truck hauling a landscaper’s trailer pulled up in front of the Brookside School in North Merrick. It was filled with cleaning and baby-care supplies, all neatly labeled, a gift from an anonymous donor. Bellmore-Merrick Central District officials said they believed the donation came from a district retiree. more

By Scott Brinton | 11/20/12

Viki Sorrentino, left, sany Christmas carols outside Dear Little Dollies at the shop's holiday event on Dec. 7.

A doll shop reaches out to Sandy victims

Before singing Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” outside Dear Little Dollies on Dec. 7, St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church cantor Viki Sorrentino reminded her audience about those who may not be able to spend the holidays in their homes because they were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. more

By Julie Mansmann | 12/20/12

Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow took on extra patients in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Area hospitals provide relief during, after storm

Days after the Hurricane Sandy tore through Long Island, its effects were still being felt, from long gas lines to thousands without power, and people’s day-to-day lives were changed. more

By Brian Croce | 11/7/12

Fire Department volunteers held a clothing drive in the days after Sandy.

People of the Year –– The volunteers of the Bellmore Fire Department

Many, realizing that water had consumed their community, immediately turned around and returned to their houses. Others, however, tried against all odds to make it to higher ground, only to find that there was none to be found. Bellmore Fire Department boat crews were out in the storm, slowly, carefully motoring down Bellmore streets as if they were canals. Vincent Montera, captain of Engine Company 2, said his boat crew had gotten no more than 200 feet after launching from South St. Mark’s Street when the terrified residents of one home jumped into the boat. more

By Julie Mansmann and Scott Brinton, jmansmann@liherald.com or sbrinton@liherald.com | 12/26/12

Halloween in Nassau, just a few days late

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, with trees and power lines littering the ground, many kids didn’t get the opportunity to go out trick-or-treating on Halloween. To help give kids a slice … more

By Alex Costello | 11/12/12

Mangano creates Economic Recovery Task Force

Acknowledging that Hurricane Sandy’s multibillion dollar economic toll will hamper every facet of recovery while harming the fiscal stability of the region, Nassau County Executive Edward P. … more

11/12/12

Pre-apply for Sandy relief funds

Nassau County and New York State will again host a pre-registration assistance program this Saturday at three Nassau County Disaster Recovery Centers in Long Beach, Island Park and Seaford for Hurricane Sandy victims. more

4/19/13

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, left, met with Sens. Bob Mendenez, Cory Booker, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on Mar. 11.

Action for Sandy victims

After a meeting on March 11 with U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York, and Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, of New Jersey, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced that the agency had agreed to reopen and review every flood insurance claim — approximately 144,000 — filed in New York and New Jersey by victims of Hurricane Sandy, and not limit corrective action to just the 2,200 claims that are now in litigation. more

By Barbra Rubin-Perry | 3/18/15

Liza Ruiz accepted Luis Pena’s marriage proposal.

Soldiers welcomed home in aftermath of hurricane

When Hofstra University got the call on Nov. 2 asking if they had power following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, officials never expected what they would be asked next. The Long Island based Army … more

By Deirdre Krasula | 11/13/12

This house on Shore Road and Surf Drive in Bellmore is an example of devastation seen all over L.I.

South Shore slowly comes back to life after Sandy

Part one in a series on how South Shore residents are coping in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. This week we begin in Bellmore-Merrick. In subsequent weeks we plan to spotlight recovery efforts in other communities. John Giammarino’s one-level house stood near the intersection of Bellmore Avenue and Clubhouse Road for 30 years. But only three years after the south Bellmore resident began renting the waterfront home, his landlord sent crews to rip out what was left of the walls. more

By Julie Mansmann | 11/13/12