As Spring has sprung, here in the Hamptons we see a surge of both visitors and residents returning for the season. Communities come to life with various events between local town fairs, social benefits, runs and walks to support specific causes, and planned events to benefit our environment. There is no shortage of opportunity to get involved and help lend a hand in making the East End a place everyone would like to call home, but also our East End is full of generous people trying to make a difference in the communities in which they live. Our Hamptons agents also step up to help out. Read on to learn about the organizations that are near and dear to some of our own agents.
Victoria Reynolds | East End Hospice
“East End Hospice is truly a place where the loved ones can be a peace for their next journey. It is so special for family members and friends to know their loved ones are being treated with the upmost respect and dignity,” says Vicky Reynolds. I have had many friends pass through the door at East End Hospice and I know that life was ending for them but also beginning in a comfort way a comfort way that envelops them with warmth and love, guiding them gently into the embrace of eternity.”
East End Hospice hosts an annual summer gala will take place this year on Saturday, June 29th, 7-11pm at a private estate in Quogue, NY. The Gala is the charitable event of the summer, a fabulous evening to benefit a great cause that includes cocktails, dinner, dancing, casino games, and a silent auction. To learn more and to register, visit: https://www.eeh.org/events/event/east-end-hospices-annual-summer-gala/
Tim Tillman | Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton
Tim Tillman has been an active member of the Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton for 8 years. Tim says, “You can see all the volunteer work we do from Maureen’s Haven, local school Key Clubs, school scholarships, and environmental issues. During the government shutdown before Covid we gave military folks gift cards to King Kullen for families to buy food. We pay for people who can’t afford their utilities during the winter. It’s a great organization.”
The organization prides itself on the enjoyable fundraising activities they have started. The upcoming Golf Outing in Wading River and Oyster Festival in Westhampton Beach offer fantastic opportunities to contribute to the community and support local families. During the holidays, they extended help to the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead by donating hats and gloves for their residents.
Mark your calendars for our 32nd annual Golf Outing, set to take place at The Rock Golf Club in Wading River on July 1st. For details on reservations or sponsorship opportunities, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IkA7oBce2l6CdqUXbocCcPtFd79zJKaT09sUYh9f5e0/viewform?edit_requested=true
The Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton meet 2 times a month on Tuesday nights. For information and to learn how you can join or volunteer, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/whkiwanis/. Additionally, you can reach out via email at whkiwanis@gmail.com or call 631.255.4040.
Deborah Pirro | Heart of the Hamptons
"Heart of the Hamptons" is an incredible organization assisting families in our surrounding local communities, with a variety of needs. In thinking about her involvement in the organization, Deborah Pirro says, “What is so incredible is that many small businesses assist Heart of the Hamptons with donations of excess the local business may have. This Fall we picked apples at Halsey Farm in Watermill, because the farm was kind enough to open the orchards to HOH for food pantry needs. HOH is very welcoming to all who wish to volunteer. That welcoming spirit is part of the reason they are so successful in assisting, with help of others, and our community." To learn more, visit heartofthehamptons.org.
Jacqulene Mitrani | Branches of Long Island & Blessings in a Backpack
Not all of our agents live in the Hamptons, but they volunteer where they live. Jacqulene Mitrani finds comfort in helping those in her neck of the woods, in the Yaphank area she has found two organizations to help in the community where she lives and her children go to school.
Longwood Blessings is dedicated to empowering hungry children by providing them with food on school year weekends. With the public’s help, they are feeding over 450 students a weekend, but there is still an outstanding need to help even more students in need. To learn how you can help, visit: https://longwoodblessings.org/about/giving-tuesday-2/
Branches of Long Island is another nonprofit where Jacqulene helps. She organized a food drive in our Hamptons Office to contribute to last winter to a “Souper Bowl” which is appropriately named as the drive concluded the same weekend and the NFL’s Super Bowl, giving additional food pantry support over the winter months after the holidays.
The organization provides much needed support across Long Island to families in need with “Blesssing Boxes”, where they pack and distribute 250+ blessing boxes filled with food, diapers, formula, toiletries and more each week to families in need all over Long Island.
They also provide access to a food pantry, community outreach and emergency bags, which are provided to anyone who stops in and needs their help. To learn more about how you can volunteer or donate, visit https://www.brancheslongisland.com/
"In the midst of the opulence of the Hamptons, I find profound joy in extending a hand to our neighbors across Long Island who dwell in less affluent areas. Our privilege isn't measured by what we possess, but by the difference we make in the lives of others,” said Jacqulene Mitrani.
Jean M. Curreri | Maureen’s Haven & Spirits Promise Horse Rescue
Jean Curreri has been involved over the years with Maureen’s Haven located in Riverhead. Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach is dedicated to supporting the homeless on the East End of Long Island. The nonprofit offers supportive services, programs, and access to case management, and the guests can enjoy a meal, get clothes, and have access to basic needs at the Day Center which is open year-round. They also provide a safe, warm temporary shelter to homeless individuals, from November through April, utilizing volunteer houses of worship and congregation volunteers.
Jean volunteers with her church, Assembly of God in Hampton Bays. “We make meals for the homeless and house them during winter season. I usually make lunches and dessert. It is something I really enjoy being a part of to help people in need in my community.”
To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit maureenshaven.org.
Jean also has volunteered in the past with Spirits Promise Horse Rescue Program at Blossom Hollow Ranch. Located at 2746 Sound Avenue, Riverhead in scenic North Fork, Spirit’s Promise provides a sanctuary of healing for both animals and humans alike. Something very unique, the ranch offers weekly line dancing in its event lineup to raise fundsto help their rescue program. To join, go online and reserve your spot as weekly registration is required. All classes are $15 per class ($12 for members). All proceeds go back to the farm.
To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit spiritspromise.com.
Kelly DiJorio | Southampton Fresh Air Home (SFAH) & Kids for Kids Foundation
Now in their 123rd year, Southampton Fresh Air Home (SFAH) is a not-for-profit center offering year-round recreational and educational programs for children and young adults with physical disabilities located on four beautiful acres in the heart of Southampton, NY. Each year, Kelly DiJorio and her business in Westhampton Beach, Rally Point East, sponsor the Concours d'Elegance, A Curated Collection of Vintage Cars and Motorcycles show, which includes art and boutique shopping, craft beer tasting, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, awards, activities for children.
There are many ways to support Southampton Fresh Air Home and its programs for children with physical disabilities. Such support involves fundraising events, donations and volunteering to assist in promoting and staging their major fundraising efforts. To learn more, visit sfah.org.
Kelly DioJorio also a huge supporter of the Kids for Kids Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that supports children and families struggling with medical challenges. Besides supporting their events throughout the year, Kelly and Rally Point East have also hosted a Car Show two years in a row at Rally Point East where they have raised over $100,000 each year. To learn more, visit kidsforkidsnyc.org.
Daniel Gale Foundation
At Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, we also take great pride in our charitable contributions through the Daniel Gale Foundation. With the support of the Foundation on a local level, our Hamptons Office is a proud and primary sponsor this year of the East End Hospice Gala Event this June, and we are also sponsoring the Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton’s Golf Outing in July. Finally, we are very proud sponsors of the American Heart Association’s Heart of the Hamptons Heart Ball which will be held Wednesday, June 19 from 6:00 to 9:00pm at The Wine Stand at Wölffer Estate, 3312 Montauk Hwy, Sagaponack. To make a donation, reserve tickets, and learn more about the auction, visit https://ahalongisland.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20232024HamptonsHeartBall/tabid/1429231/Default.aspx
Our company-wide events are not to be missed! All are welcome to join us for our 2nd Annual Daniel Gale Foundation Outing on Monday, June 24, 2024 from 8:00am to 8:00pm at the Huntington Country Club located at 483 Main St., Huntington, NY. Money raised from this event will help the efforts of the Foundation throughout the year.
Throughout May, we are participating in a Clothing Drive. We will be collecting new and gently used clothing items for women, men, and children of all sizes. Donations of all kinds can be dropped off at 100 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. For more information, visit dealsondesigners.com.
The Daniel Gale Foundation is committed to supporting community endeavors and improving the lives of those living on Long Island and in the five boroughs of New York City through the united efforts of its volunteers and the generosity of its donors. Learn more at danielgalefoundation.org.