Man Paddling To Raise Money For Local Causes

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A local man is putting his heart into a paddle to help those in need.

Shawn Eckardt created a GoFundMe page, "Montauk To Block Island Paddle," which has raised $6,510 of its $8,000 goal so far.

Eckardt said he was born and raised in Montauk, growing up in the Camp Hero area, the closest neighborhood to the Montauk Lighthouse.

On August 25, Eckardt will attempt the Block Island Challenge, an 18-mile open ocean paddle; each paddler must raise or contribute a minimum of $1,500 to participate. The starting point of the paddle begins on the north side of the Montauk Lighthouse “Northbar" and ends at the Narragansett Inn on Block Island, he said.

The goal of the GoFundMe is to raise his $1,500 entry donation to Paddlers For Humanity; in addition, Eckardt would like to raise an additional $2,000, or any surplus, which will be divided between the Montauk Food Pantry and East Hampton Clamshell Foundation, he said.

"All three are close to my heart for many reasons. Please help me along this journey and give back to the beautiful East Hampton and Montauk communities," he said.

Paddlers for Humanity is an all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in East Hampton, dedicated to bettering the lives of children with an emphasis on supporting innovative and comprehensive mental health programs for kids and youth, including greater early intervention outreach, resiliency, anti-bullying, and changing behavior through a focus on the positive, he said. In addition, Eckardt said, the P4H Catastrophic Fund supports families in crisis on the East End.

The Montauk Food Pantry was established in 1984 by Fran Ecker, Ines Fox, and Shelly Engstrom "when they discovered that there are children in our community who would come to school without sufficient food for lunch," Eckardt said. "The Clamshell Foundation, since 1996, has had a mission of supporting the people, programs, and projects of the East End of Long Island. Their name was chosen to honor those on the East End of Long Island who make a livelihood from our local waters. One hundred percent of all profits goes back to our community to support endeavors that include college scholarships, food banks and fish seeding programs. We help raise funds through generous donations and from our two annual events; The Great Bonac Fireworks and Sandcastle Contest," he said.

Having grown up in Montauk and raising his own children in East Hampton, "I think it’s really important to give back to the community and do my part to contribute," Eckardt said.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.