Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center is once again kicking off the summer season with its annual Summer Benefit, a beloved community gathering that supports one of the East End’s most important missions. This year’s Summer Kickoff Cocktail Party will take place on Friday, June 26th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mulford Farm, 10 James Lane in East Hampton.
The annual benefit raises critical funds for the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center (EWECC), a licensed nonprofit childcare center on Eastern Long Island. For more than five decades, the Center has provided affordable, high-quality early education and year-round childcare for local working families, helping ensure that children have the strongest possible start while parents can remain in the workforce.
At a time when childcare costs continue to rise, the Center remains committed to keeping tuition affordable while maintaining the highest standards of care and education. Fundraising events like the Summer Benefit play a vital role in making that possible.
This year’s event embraces a spirit of inclusivity and community. In recognition of the families and supporters who have helped shape the Center over the years, ticket options range from $10,000 sponsorship levels to Pay-What-You-Can admission.
Joan Overlock, Director of Development, explained the decision, saying, “In the spirit of community and affordability we wanted to try something new. Our Host Committee comprised of parents, past and present, really pushed for inclusivity for this year’s benefit with special pricing to include alumni parent ticketing.”
Annabella Salas, a member of the Host Committee and Board Member, also emphasized the importance of maintaining those connections long after children leave the Center. She says, “Some of my strongest bonds with other parents were formed when my kids were really little and attending the Eleanor Whitmore Center. We want to provide a way to keep those connections strong among our young families.”
The evening will feature hors d’oeuvres from East Hampton Kitchen, wines from Wƶlffer Estate, live bluegrass, folk, and old-time music from Wild Magnolias, and a silent auction. It is designed to be both a celebration of community and a meaningful opportunity to support affordable childcare and early education on the East End.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of The Eleanor Prize, an award established in 2024 to honor and preserve the legacy of Eleanor Whitmore. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have made a meaningful impact on children, families, and the broader East End community.
This year’s recipient is Ruth Ann McSpadden, whose leadership has been instrumental to both the Center and the families it serves. A current Board Member and former Board Chair for eight years, Ruth played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping ensure the Center remained open and able to provide no-cost childcare for essential workers despite receiving no state or federal funding.
Executive Director Tim Frazier spoke about her impact, saying, “Ruth Ann has given and continues to give so much to our community. She shares Eleanor Whitmore’s vision of affordable childcare for all, and her leadership has proven that we can come together in a time of need and emerge stronger for it.”
For Ruth, supporting the Center has always been about investing in future generations. She says, “Children have the power to change the world when they are given the tools to build a happy, healthy and productive life. The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center provides their students with all the tools and skills they need, delivered with an extra dose of love, joy, and humor that is central to the mission of the Center. If we as adults want to change the world, there is no better way than helping the youngest members of our community off to a strong and steady start.”
Mark Butler, Co-Chair of the Board, reflected on the importance of the Center’s work and the community support that makes it possible. He says, “The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center is a cornerstone of our community, empowering working families with access to high-quality, all-day, year-round childcare and early education. Thanks to generous donors, fees remain among the lowest on Long Island.”
Founded in 1969, EWECC continues to address a critical need in a region often described as a childcare desert. Through affordable tuition, high-quality programming, and unwavering support for local families, the Center has become an essential resource for the East End community.
The Summer Benefit offers an opportunity to celebrate that impact while helping ensure the Center can continue serving families for generations to come. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, click here.
