A Season of Hamptons Charity Events Begins

Giving back is one of the great ways to experience life out on the East End. From galas to dog walks, philanthropic opportunities abound in the Hamptons now that the summer season is here.

Attend one or all of The East End Hospice’s events. Begin with the fun-packed 18th Annual  Pig Roast on the North Fork, on June 2, 4-7 p.m. Pindar Vineyards, 37645 Route 25, Peconic. Supported by lots of local businesses, small and large, it’s a totally affordable family picnic with food, music, line dancing and plenty of stuff for the kiddies to do. Adults $25, kids $18 and under $10. Or try the June 9 cocktail party and auction, 475, on Shelter Island. Go Hawaiian at the Moonlight Luau on June 30th from 7-11 p.m. at the Sandacres Estate, in Quogue. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Bonnie Grice of WPPB 88.3 FM, and the Good Samaritan Award Honoree will be Gordon A. Werner. To find out about sponsorship opportunities contact 631-288-7080 or tmurphy@eeh.org.

Here’s a chance to help those who need free cancer counseling at the Fighting Chance 10th Anniversary Summer Gala. This hugely popular event will be held at the Devon Yacht Club, 300 Abrahams Landing Rd., in Amagansett on June 2. Enjoy sunset cocktails, buffet, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. The dance band will be “The Loan Sharks.” $400. 631-725-4646, www.fightingchance.org.

It’s good exercise for your dog, and it’s good exercise for you. Join the PAWS Across the Hamptons Dog Walk, June 9, at Lola Prentice Park, adjacent to the Southampton Village Police Station. Your registration fee of $30, $15 for seniors and kids, goes to the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and Southampton Hospital. Rain date is June 10. Register at www.southamptonhospital.org or www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.

Also on June 9, celebrate pets and their heroes by participating in Petfest at 2386 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. The event features live entertainment, adoptions, contests and more. 631-237-1365, PetFestFun.com.

June 16th is going to be a busy night! The Retreat’s 25th Anniversary Annual Artists Against Abuse Benefit will take place at the Ross Lower School Fieldhouse. Maria McBride Productions will transform the Great Hall into a carnival celebration. This doesn’t mean you’ll be riding the Tilt-O’-Whirl all night—cocktails first, then a sit-down dinner prepared by Chef Peter Ambrose. Bid on works of art by Eric Fischl, Dan Rizzie, John Alexander and many others, and you will be supporting the Retreat’s efforts against domestic violence. 631-329-4398.

Over at Woodhouse Park in East Hampton on June 16th, God’s Love We Deliver’s “Midsummer Night Drinks” party will raise money for food delivery to home-bound people with illnesses. Call 212-294-8162 or go to events.glwd.org for information.

The 16th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball on June 23, 6-11 p.m. at Hayground School in Bridgehampton will raise funds for the American Heart Association to inspire families to learn how to prevent heart disease. E-mail Barbara.Pollwoda@heart.org or call 516-450-9192.

Also on June 23, celebrate the natural beauty of the East End at Group for the East End’s 40th Anniversary Benefit and Auction and meet special guest Alec Baldwin at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard. Enjoy cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 pm with renowned caterer Brent Newsom, a live auction and dancing to beats provided by DJ Tom Finn. Group for the East End benefits environmental education and advocacy programs. For more information contact Judy Christrup at 631-765-6450, ext. 215 or jchristrup@eastendenvironment.org.

More on June by the American poet Lowell:

“Everything is happy now,
Everything is upward striving;
‘Tis as easy now for the heart to be true
As for grass to be green or skies to be blue.”