Kait's Angels Soar With New Buddy Bench, Designer Handbag Wingo Fundraiser Friday

NORTH FORK, NY - The memory of Kait Doorhy, who died tragically while away at college, will live on forever, in a new Buddy Bench dedicated to the Tuckahoe Common School in Southampton last week.

When Kait, a former Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Queen, died in August, 2014, hearts were broken and tears of grief flowed for months, as the many who loved her struggled to deal with the devastating blow.

But in the months that followed, slowly, hearts began to heal, as a new not-for-profit, Kait's Angels, was born to carry on Kait's lifetime mission of spreading kindness and sunshine with her bright smile and giving heart.

Kait's Angels has dedicated Buddy Benches, benches meant to foster friendships, a place for a child to sit if they are feeling sad or alone, to schools across the North Fork and the East End.

According to Darla Doorhy, Kait's mom, Joanne Vitiello, a teacher at the Tuckahoe Common School, contacted Kait's Angels and together with Principal Arlette Sicari and educators Angela Parisi, Renee Seely and others, organized the dedication last week.

At the event, a heartfelt speech was given by Laurie Italia of Kait's Angels, and a dear friend of the Doorhys, Melissa Ludlow, also attended. Darla Doorhy's sisters Dore Seely and Dena Campbell also were present.

Southampton Town PBA President Kevin Gwinn and Vice President Erik Breitwieser presented Kait's Angels with a check for $1,000.

The children sang a song, danced to a Kait's Angels Zumba song and made Kait's Angels a book of angel wings, with sweet hand-colored pictures and messages to Kait's family and friends.

Kait's Angels Wingo

On Friday night, a Kait's Angels Designer Handbag Wingo event will be held at Macari Vineyard, located at 150 Bergen Avenue in Mattituck. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $50 in advance or $60 at the door and include admission, eight games, and a glass of wine. Bring your own snacks. The event will feature a dazzling array of designer handbags, prizes, raffles, an "angel auction" and benefit Kait's Angels. For additional information, click here.