East Rockaway organization hosting pub crawl to benefit disaster relief

East Rockaway volunteer group The11518 is hosting its second annual pub crawl on Sept. 30 to benefit Next Step Ministries, a nonprofit relief group that organizes short-term mission trips across the country.
The11518 is a group founded by East Rockaway residents Dan Caracciolo and Joe and Lauren Forgione, which helped other members of the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The group hosted its first pub crawl last year to showcase the revitalized area and to raise money for Louisiana flood victims.
Last year, 250 people participated in the event and helped raise $10,000 for Together Baton Rouge, a charity that aided those affected by the floods. This year the proceeds will benefit Next Step, which provided recovery efforts in Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma after natural disasters, in addition to its work across the South Shore.
Caracciolo said that Next Step has an active community-building trip in San Augustine County, Texas, which will likely lead to additional relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey devastating the Houston area.
“With so many options for Texas flood relief donations, we understand that people can only give so much and we definitely don't want to take the focus away from those worthy causes,” Caracciolo said. “But devastating events like this, and images like those we're seeing out of Texas, are a humbling reminder to support disaster relief organizations in general, and we hope that people will come out to do that on Sept. 30.”

Registration for the pub crawl begins at noon on Sept. 30 at Michael’s Porthole. The event will start at 1 p.m. and continue to Barrier Brewing Company, Reel, Lazy Lobster, The Bold O’Donoghue’s, Mr. Beery’s Village Pub, and Super Pollo. An hour has been allotted for each stop.
Tickets are $40 in advance and cost $50 for day-of purchases. They include drink vouchers for up to $4 — one for each of the participating locations — food specials and an event hat.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at https://er4nspubcrawl.eventbrite.com. By registering in advance, participants will also be entered into a raffle for a cash prize. Those who register by Sept. 11 are guaranteed a hat. All of the entry fees will go directly to the disaster relief work of Next Step Ministries. Participants must be at least 21-year-old. The11518 is accepting donations from those who cannot attend.
To learn more, visit facebook.com/the11518.