the11518: Sandy spawns grassroots organization in East Rockaway

They say it takes a village — to raise a child, to get things done, and to hold each other up. The seven-month-old the11518 is such an organization.
For now, the11518 is focused on helping residents with FEMA applications, homeowner’s insurance and the details of flood insurance. “We want to help clarify the process for people,” said the11518 founder and East Rockaway resident Dan Caracciolo, adding that more help is needed from municipalities — from the village to the Town of Hempstead, as well as the state and federal governments. “They will listen to us as a collective voice,” Caracciolo said. “ … some good things are happening.”
He also sees a greater need, down the road, for this type of organization, even outside of Sandy issues. And the meetings are for everyone — those who need help, and those who can help others.
“Anyone can come,” he said, of the planned meetings. “It basically a support group where Sandy information is shared with people still going through the process, as well as getting help for people with smaller projects such as clean ups, rip outs, all on a volunteer basis.”
The organization works in conjunction with Friends of Long Island, and are trying to look at it in the long-term, to become, Caracciolo said, “a conduit for what people need in the community, even outside of Sandy.”