New Kait's Angels 'Buddy Bench' Installed Outside Southold Town Hall

SOUTHOLD, NY — Kaitlyn Doorhy may have died far too young, just 20 when she was struck by a car while away at college at Sacred Heart University. But along with a trail of tears that has cloaked the North Fork in grief came an organization, Kait's Angels, dedicated to helping others in honor of her caring heart.

Recently, Kait's Angels, including Kaitlyn's parents, Darla and Joe Doorhy, dedicated a Buddy Bench on Main Road in Southold, just outside Southold Town Hall, in honor of their beloved daughter.

The dedication was attended by Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who cut the ribbon — which was pink, Kaitlyn's favorite color — as well as Southold Town Deputy Supervisor Jill Doherty and Councilman Brian Mealy, and members of the Kait's Angels not-for-profit organization.

Beginning in 2015, Kait's Angels has installed the Buddy Benches at schools not just on the North Fork but the East End, as a place where students who are feeling lonely, or are having a hard day and need a friend, can sit, so that others can come and raise their spirits and hearts, Darla Doorhy has said.

The Buddy Benches at schools are meant to inspire children to be a good friend, to stand up against bullying, and to share kindness, Doorhy has said.

Now the mission has branched out, she added, and Buddy Benches are installed not just at schools, but outside Town Hall, in memory of Kaitlyn, and are planned for all North Fork libraries.

The Buddy Benches are just one way Kait's Angels, a not-for-profit aimed at helping those in need in the community while keeping their beautiful daughter's memory vibrant, gives back.

This year, Kait's Angels has not only held a Designer Handbag Wingo event to raise funds, but has also planned an upcoming annual yard sale to help two community members in need. Each year, other events, including a Poker Run, are also held.

And this summer, Kait's Angels set their sights on sprucing up various recreational facilities in town.

According to Joe Doorhy, Kait's Angels installed three new picnic tables, bike racks, and an outdoor shower at New Suffolk Beach, located on Jackson Street in New Suffolk.

"We chose that location because it was Kaitlyn's favorite beach," Doorhy told Patch. "If you look at Kaitlyn's headstone, it shows her sitting on that beach, looking at Robins Island."

Doorhy said he and other Kait's Angels representatives spoke with Doherty about the plans, then wrote a donation letter to the town clerk; the town board voted and allowed the project to move forward.

Mattituck Plumbing donated its services, including labor and materials, to install the outdoor shower, while Kait's Angels donated the tables and bike racks, with each table costing about $1,000 and the bike racks, $500, Doorhy said. The project was completed in time for the start of the summer season.

The results were deeply rewarding, Doorhy said.

"It felt good," he said. "We got a lot of positive feedback. People were so happy to see it, and happy to rinse off with fresh water."

His daughter would have been happy to see the new additions, he said.

In a separate project, Kait's Angels, along with the Mattituck and Cutchogue Lions Clubs, also installed eight picnic tables under a pavilion on Peconic Lane, across the way from Tasker Park; each table has a Kait's Angels plaque, Doorhy said.

"It's been great," he said. "A lot of families have been going down there and having barbecues. Now they can have them even if it's raining."

After the dedication of the Buddy Bench outside Town Hall, Supervisor Russell told Patch: "I joked with the Doorhys that I think Kait's Angels spends more on our park equipment, such as benches and picnic tables, than we do. But, I think if you do the math, they probably actually do. We are grateful for their passion and commitment to this community. The Buddy Bench is yet another example. It's actually the only bench in the area and will be well-used."

Looking ahead, Doorhy said that Kait's Angels has plans to install the new Buddy Benches at new locations.

Of Kait's Angels efforts to give back, Darla Doorhy said: "It’s helping hands, helping others in need. Kaitlyn always said we have two hands, one hand for ourselves and one hand to help others."