While the damage on Staten Island is still being surveyed, some locals kicked off fundraising efforts to help their neighbors get back on their feet. Mara Montalbano has more.

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NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- "Having lived through September 11th, I know one of the main things people need is to know they're not alone," said former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Giuliani joined Staten Islanders at the Postcards Memorial Friday morning to let them know just that. He stood with Borough President James Molinaro and the chairman of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to start raising money for Staten Islanders affected by Sandy.

The Siller Foundation is named for an Island firefighter who died at the World Trade Center on September 11th after running through the Battery Tunnel to help the rescue effort. It has raised millions for natural disaster relief and to help injured veterans.

Siller said, "9/11 families came together for Katrina relief. We were, knew that it was time to give back to another part of the country because so many people stepped up and helped New York in a time of need after 9 /11. Well, New York is hurting again."

The Postcards Memorial is Staten Island's tribute to the 275 residents who died on September 11th. It's where Molinaro watched the towers fall. He says Staten Islanders rose to the occasion back then and he's confident they will again.

"Here it is. I'm ending my administration with another tragedy on Staten Island. So I came in with one and we came back from it and I am sure we're coming back from this. We're going to be bigger and stronger for one reason and one reason only, the people of Staten Island," said Molinaro.

Just hours after launching the effort, organizers announced they had already raised $250,000.

To donate to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, visit tunneltotowers.org.