A Benefit For Dell Cullum Being Held At The Stephen Talkhouse

On Friday, April 21, local environmentalist, photographer, and animal activist, Dell Cullum, fell off a ladder onto the deck of a house and broke his back as he was rescuing a wild animal. Cullum, who was brought to Stony Brook Hospital, underwent surgery and is now facing months of extensive rehabilitation.

To help Cullum financially during his lengthy road to recovery, a gofundme page has been set up and a Benefit will take place at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Cullum, who hopes to be well enough to attend the fundraiser, is touched by the support he’s received. “All I can say is it’s quite overwhelming how the community has come together to support me after my unfortunate accident,” shared Cullum. “My level of gratitude goes beyond words.”

After hearing about Cullum’s ill-fated fall, the community rallied around the beloved East End resident. “Local artists, musicians, and business owners jumped on board once they found out that Dell Cullum had broken his back,” explained Karyn Mannix, who helped organize the benefit.

Nancy Atlas, Katherine C. H. E., Cynthia Daniels, Earthreal, Inda Eaton, Anthony Genovesi, Winston Irie, Jettykoon, Job Potter, Michael Pour, Michael Rusinsky, and David Trotta are among musicians who have signed on to play during the Talkhouse benefit.

And the community’s adoration for Cullum is evident with the lengthy list of those who donated an item to the event. The silent auction will feature items from Eric Ernst, Timothy Roepe, Kimberly Goff, Mary Antczak, William Munch, David Rufo, Tracy Harris, Kristina Gale, Durell Godfrey, Gabriele Raacke, Dorothy Frankel, Daniel Schoenheimer, Sue Zola, Evād Art, Doug Kuntz, Billy Strong, Jim Lubetkin, Michael Heller, Camille Perrottet, Evan Thomas, Andrea M. Gordon, and Gerry Giliberti, and the raffle will include prizes from Park Place Liquors, Wittendales, Elie Tahari, Stephanie Boggetti Jewerly, Round Swamp Farm, Fierro’s Pizza, Nancy De Pietro Facial, Village Hardware, Carla Gargano, Groundworks, Silich TRX, Sausages Pizza, Katherine Nadeau Costume Frame, 668 Gig Shack, Bostwicks Catering, Dupo, Citta, Estia’s Little Kitchen, Sandy Erkman Salvaggio, Patricai Payne, Montauk Parasail, One Stop Pet Shop, Springs Pizza Family Dinner, One Stop Market, Smokin’ Wolf, Springs Hardware, Christine Moran, Hampton Cutney, The Salon & Day Spa, Cavaniola’s Gourmet Shop, Schenck Fuels, Amagansett Hardware, artist Craig Banks, Poxabogue Golf, Harbor Grill or Harbor Bistro, Amagansett Wines and Liquor, Domaine Franey White, White’s Pharmacy, Naturopathica, Tack Trunk, Geg Hollman, East Hampton Wines & Liquor, Mandala Yoga, Rowdy Hall, Simply Sublime, Montauk Brewing, Montauk Ceramics, Golden Eagle, John Papas Café, Innersleeve Records, Peconic Beverage, Austin’s Surf Camp, Claudia Dunn/VJS Studio, and more.

“Dell does so much for the community. He is the brainchild behind the beach sweep clean up missions,” noted Mannix. “Plus, he is the local Dr. Doolittle. His compassion for the rescue and protection of animals and nature is incredible.”

For Cullum, who’s getting a little bit better each day, the outpouring of support has been a reminder of why he loves the East End so much. “Just another example of what makes our home so special,” Cullum added. “I couldn’t possibly feel and more lucky, than I do now.”

Admission to Benefit for Dell Cullum is $20.

Stephen Talkhouse is located at 161 Main Street in Amagansett. For more information, visit stephentalkhouse.com. To donate to Dell Cullum’s crowdfunding page, visit www.gofundme.com.