Hamptons-Based Non-Profit Sets Ambitious Goal For One Island Giving Day

The second annual One Island Giving Day (OIGD), the largest collaborative effort to support local organizations through fundraising, will be held on Friday, October 26. The virtual appeal for funds is the brainchild of the Amy and Horace Hagedorn Foundation, which until closing last year championed numerous Long Island nonprofits.

“Long Island has a rich and vibrant nonprofit community that supports so many of the families, children, and communities who live and work here,” said One Island Giving Day Campaign Director, Cindy Morris.

One Island Giving Day’s goal is to amass up to $1 million for the nearly 100 registered local nonprofit organizations. The virtual event will be hosted at oneislandgiving.com and donations can be made now through Friday, October 26.

“This concept of bringing together one day in which we drive Long Islanders to support these organizations is so important, as we work together to make our communities safer, stronger and more diverse,” Morris noted. “I am thrilled to be involved in this project.”

In honor of the program, which has gained the bipartisan backing of Suffolk County Legislators Kara Hahn, Leslie Kennedy and Susan Berland, the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge will be turned blue as a reminder to support this initiative and give back to these vital local organizations.

“One Island Giving Day was Hagedorn Foundation’s final parting gift to the Long Island Not-For-Profit at the point of the Foundation’s planned spend-down in 2017,” exaplined Hagedorn Foundation President, Lisa Valentine. “It was my mother, Amy Maiello Hagedorn’s wish that the community band together to keep Long Island’s vital programs alive and thriving in her absence. She had begun the seeds of the process for One Island Giving Day during what would turn out to be the last year of her life. What a legacy she left us in One Island Giving Day!”

Locally, i-tri is the sole OIGD participant based in the Hamptons.

“i-tri is thrilled to be a part of #OneIslandGivingDay again this year,” Theresa Roden, Founder and Executive Director of i-tri, shared. “It is so energizing and inspiring to join with other non-profits that are impacting the lives of Long Islanders as we combine efforts to not only raise necessary funds but to spread the word about the amazing work everyone is doing.”

i-tri, which was founded ten years ago, is an “inclusive, community based program to fosters self-respect, personal empowerment, self-confidence, positive body image and healthy lifestyle choices for adolescent girls.” The program launched at one school with just eight participants.

They’ve set an ambitious goal for One Island Giving Day. “i-tri has set a lofty goal in honor of our 10th year, and as we prepare to serve up to 200 girls in ten schools – we are hoping to raise $100,000 by the end of #OneIslandGivingDay!” Roden explained. “To donate and be a part of all of the excitement you can go to itrigirls.org, and you can also follow us on social media on Friday as we celebrate and offer fun prizes along the way.”

The six-month program not only trains i-triers for a youth distance triathlon, but the young girls also take part in weekly lessons that revolve around self-esteem building and leadership skills, as well as hands-on nutrition education. i-tri’s research has found that those who are a part of the program benefit from a 37 percent decrease in self-abusive behaviors, and growth in leadership skills (by 17 percent), self-efficacy (by 25 percent), self- confidence (by 13 percent), interest in exercise (by 21 percent), better eating habits (by 94 percent), ability to create bonds (by 14 percent), and ability to problem solve (by 25 percent).

OIGD will support nonprofits that focus on a variety of causes, including arts and culture, education, immigration, environment, children and families, healthcare, LGBT, civic engagement, and many others.

“Our nonprofits fall into all issue areas. You can visit oneislandgiving.com and support the nonprofit of your choice,” says Steering Committee member, Devon Giordano. “We hope Long Islanders will make a donation and directly help the communities around them.”

For more information on One Island Giving Day, visit oneislandgiving.com. To donate to i-tri’s One Island Giving Day fundraising efforts, visit oneislandgiving.mightycause.com.