“Tiny Feet, Big Futures” A Summer Fundraiser To Benefit Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center
Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center (EWECC) (www.ewecc.org), will host their Summer Benefit on Saturday, June 28th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Mulford Farm (10 James Lane, East Hampton).
This year’s theme “Tiny Feet, Big Futures” speaks to the importance of the early years in a child’s development and the lasting impression these experiences have on young children as they grow. With the community’s support, the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center continues to grow and add programming to further their mission to provide high-quality early education and support for working families in our socially and economically diverse community. Founded in 1969, Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center is the only licensed, non-profit childcare center on Eastern Long Island, addressing the critical need for affordable childcare and high-quality early education in a region considered a “childcare desert.” Fundraising events like the Summer Benefit are critical in maintaining the center’s affordability whose fees are among the lowest in Suffolk County.
An evening of community, cocktails, and appreciation, the Summer Benefit will feature live music from Pete & the Stray Dogs, a Brooklyn-based Americana band, a silent auction featuring exciting prizes, and hors d’oeuvres and a raw bar from Annie Washburn’s East Hampton Kitchen paired with wine and cocktails provided by Wolffer Wines and Domaine Franey. The auction will go live mid-June and includes a rare opportunity to purchase a Magnum of Lafite Rothschild. As well, noted East Hampton artist Abigail Vogel has created a beautiful mural of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center campus which will be on display at the event. Guests will be able to purchase and place tiny footprints with their names on the mural to support the center.
A key highlight of the evening is the awarding of the Eleanor Prize. In 2024, the center established the Prize to keep Eleanor Whitmore’s legacy alive. This annual prize is given to an individual and/or business that exemplifies the spirit and good work of Eleanor and is awarded for dual roles in making a significant positive impact on children in our East End community and for supporting working families. Joe Gurrera of Citarella was awarded the Eleanor Prize last year.
This year, the Eleanor Prize will go to Peter Van Scoyoc. The Center’s Board and Executive Director selected to honor Peter not only for his leadership in securing Town financial support for the Center enabling more childcare for more families, but also as Supervisor Peter gave the center a platform to help communicate the vital role that affordable childcare plays in our community for businesses and our future. In addition to his public support while in office, Peter took time to visit the Center and read to the children as well as participate in countless “Moving Up” ceremonies as the pre-K children graduated to enter Kindergarten.
Tickets are $250 or $150 for those under 40. Please visit the following link for more information and to purchase tickets: https://onecau.se/summerbenefit.
