Designer Handbag Wingo Honors Memory Of Young Woman Lost Too Soon

NORTH FORK, NY — August 22 marks seven years since Mattituck's Kaitlyn Doorhy, 20, died while away at college. And on Friday night, an event is back after the pandemic that captures her love of giving back to help others.

Kaitlyn loved fashion — her room was filled with a colorful array of designer bags, sunglasses, and clothing that she wore with joy and worked hard to attain. But what she loved even more was opening her kind heart to those in the community that might need a helping hand. The Kait's Angels "Designer Handbag Wingo Event" captures Kait's essence, bringing a crowd of women together for a fun night and a good cause.

"If you're looking for a designer handbag, this is the event to attend," said Darla Doorhy, Kaitlyn's mother.

More than 75 designer handbags will be raffled off at the event, which takes place Friday, August 20, at Peconic Bay Vineyards, located at 31320 Main Road in Cutchogue. Doors open at 5 p.m.; games begin at 6 p.m. The event features games, an "angel auction," and raffles, as well as the Meats Meat BBQ, Mattitaco, and The Treatery food trucks — and wine available for purchase from Peconic Bay Vineyards.

Kait's Angels is a not-for-profit organization created to honor Kaitlyn's beautiful memory through acts of kindness; 100 percent of proceeds from the Designer Handbag Wingo event are given back to local families on the North Fork who are in need, Doorhy said.

"This is the sixth year of Designer Handbag Wingo, another fun Kait's Angels event," Doorhy said. "It's always our honor as a team to present this event to the community in memory of our beautiful daughter Kaitlyn D. Doorhy, who entered heaven way too soon almost seven years ago."

This year's grand prize is a Valentino handbag, with designer sunglasses and many other prizes slated for raffle, Doorhy said.

Tickets cost $30 in advance or $40 at the door on the night of the event. To purchase tickets, click here. Tickets are also available at the Love Lane Sweet Shoppe, located at 125 Love Lane, in Mattituck.

Doorhy thanked Dr. Joseph M. Duva for sponsoring the grand prize, and Cohen's Fashion Optical in Riverhead for donating designer sunglasses.

"Come and spend your evening with friends and family at this beautiful venue," Doorhy said. She thanked "a very giving person and friend, Stacey Soloviev, for allowing us to host our event at her beautiful vineyard."