East Hampton Based Non-Profit Donates Over $90,000 For Local Causes

Paddlers for Humanity, an East Hampton based non-profit, has raised over $90,000 to donate to several local causes this year.

According to co-founder Fred Doss, the money raised this year went to organizations focused on a range of mental health resources after research showed there was a need for more funding in the area.

Donations were made to several institutions and causes including: $30,000 to the Community Behavioral Health Collaborative helping improve the Family Service League’s early intervention outreach on the East End; $26,000 to fund East Hampton Middle School’s new “WhyTry?” initiative, a resiliency education program that will be available to sixth graders this fall; $5,000 to East Hampton High School’s initiatives that address early intervention for kids dealing with depression, bullying and self-esteem issues; $20,000 to Bridgehampton School’s Positive Behavioral Supports and Intervention Program for grades 1 through 12, which results in changing behavior through a focus on the positive.

In addition, the organization gave $15,000 to buildOn to help fund East Hampton High School’s global school construction project in Nepal.

Doss and co-founder Ed Cashin, started the foundation in 2007 with the goal to make a difference. Since then, they have narrowed their mission to “better the lives of kids and youth”.

Through a few successful events, such as the “Block Challenge”; where participants paddle from Montauk to Block Island; and the help of their roughly 30 volunteers, Paddlers for Humanity has managed to successful donate over $850,000 in total since it began to different causes.

“We have an incredible group of volunteers, we could not do it without them,” Doss said, “And also it’s just about the effort of the people [who attend the events], it’s to their credit it’s successful.”

Doss hopes to continue the great turnout at their events again taking place next spring and summer.

“The return is what we want,” he said. “It’s all about the people who participate.”

Have a news tip? Email priscila.korb@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.