Photo Credit: Ben Rosser/BFA
Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) announced that for the third consecutive year, their annual Hamptons benefit, School’s Out, broke a record by raising $760,000, over $100,000 more than the total raised last year. Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ youth organization’s 45-year legacy this year, this momentous fundraising milestone marks the highest-grossing amount in the summer event’s 24-year history.
The event was held at the home of hosts, Marcus Brown, Executive Vice President, Entergy Corporation and his family Nannette, Rachel and Christopher, on Saturday, July 20 in Water Mill, New York. It drew notable figures including Tamron Hall, Darren Star, Candace Bushnell, Fern Mallis, Thom Filicia, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, and Brynn Whitfield, among others.
School’s Out co-chairs Ben Dixon, Tonia Steck, and Laurence Milstein, along with the Brown family and HMI’s Board of Directors, worked with the HMI team to produce another recordbreaking event, generating substantial funds through major sponsorships, donations and publicity.
The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring two-time Emmy award-winning TV host, journalist, and author Tamron Hall, who served as the special guest host. The specialty cocktail of the night, “Beach Vibes,” from Hall’s upcoming cookbook “A Confident Cook,” was highlighted to help celebrate HMI’s 45-year anniversary.
Hall said, “I was so thrilled to join HMI for School’s Out. When I hosted HMI’s Emery Awards, I was inspired by everyone in that room. I am glad I could support HMI again in celebrating 45 years of community and care for LGBTQIA+ youth.”
