Hetrick-Martin Institute Increases Services Thanks To Hamptons School’s Out Fundraiser

After enjoying a beautiful day of sunshine, hundreds headed to Hetrick-Martin Institute’s 15th annual School’s Out benefit in East Hampton on Saturday, June 7, 2014, which raised over $200,000 for LGBTQ youth. This year’s co-chairs included Bobby Graham of InStyle, Brendan Monaghan of The New York Times, Alfredo Paredes of Ralph Lauren and Ward Williams of Momentum Worldwide. Andy Cohen, host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” and EVP of Development and Talent for Bravo, served as Honorary Chair.

After being escorted to the venue via MINI Coopers, made possible through HMI’s partnership with Greater Gotham MINI Cooper Dealers, guests arrived wearing the latest in styles, and enjoyed a night complete with music, delicious drinks and mouth-watering bites.

Hosted for the 9th consecutive year by interior designer Scott Sanders and lawyer Peter Wilson, their Hampton’s home proved to be the perfect location for this summer kickoff cocktail party. Their entire yard, exclusively designed by Scott, allowed for a specious area, in which, guests socialized and gushed over the sample sunglasses that were provided to attendees by ic! Berlin. Scott also shared that this will be the last year the event is hosted at his East Hampton estate, as he is having a new Hamptons house built, that is projected to be finished within the coming year or two.

Throughout the evening, attendees were happy to speak with HMI youth members who enjoyed themselves near the swimming pool and had fun with the pool floats. The members, ages 13 to 24, have found renewed opportunities at HMI, and are directly affected by the funds and support raised through School’s Out. This year’s event raised over $200,000.

HMI Chief Executive Officer Thomas Krever said that with the help of many sponsors, this summer is the first time HMI will offer services on Saturday, thus remaining open six out of every seven days. “School’s Out has allowed us to increase our homeless outreach programs and expand our services to kids who are otherwise occupied during the week,” Krever said.

For this year’s event, HMI partnered with numerous sponsors, including Armani Exchange, Barry’s Bootcamp, Designs by Anthony Ortiz, Hamptons Magazine, and Ketel One Vodka, whose generosity made the event possible.

Through the success of the School’s Out fundraiser, HMI anticipates serving more than 3,000 people this summer, by providing meals, showers, clothing and support to struggling youths residing in New York, New Jersey and surrounding areas. Founded in 1979, HMI continues to offer a support network that promotes physical and mental well-being and operates as the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit service group supporting LGBTQ youths.

For more information on HMI, visit www.hmi.org.