Hamptons Church Donates $25K To Bridgehampton Child Care Center

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center just received a helping hand from a local church. The Hamptons United Methodist Church donated $25,000 to support outreach, especially with the center's after-school program.

The donation was presented during a March 11 tour of the Center’s new multi-purpose facility. Executive Director Bonnie Michelle Cannon received the check from Rev. Joanne S. Utley, as well as church members Jerlean Hopson and Arlean Vanslyke, who also serve on the Center’s board of directors.

The church’s gift was prompted by a presentation that Cannon made at a recent HUMC worship service, a release from the church said.

The congregation was inspired after hearing that the Center was able to carry on with their after-school program during the pandemic. A similar program at the church that served 25 Southampton students has been on hiatus since the pandemic began.

With that in mind, the church voted to offer its after-school “savings” to help The Center continue and possibly expand its offerings.

“We feel blessed to be able to collaborate with The Center in their outreach to the Bridgehampton community,” Rev. Utley said. “They have been steadfast in continuing to serve the community despite the great challenges presented by the pandemic.”

“I was so surprised and overwhelmed by your gift for The Center's children,” said Executive Director Bonnie Michelle Cannon. “We are living in gratitude for community friends like you. God bless you and your congregation for caring and sharing.”

“Our church is the result of a merger between Bridgehampton and Southampton United Methodist churches, and both communities are still very much a part of our mission field,” Rev. Utley said.

Others have opened their hearts to the Bridgehampton Childcare and Recreational Center in recent months: Hayden Soloviev, 19, vice-chairman of the Solow Art & Architecture Foundation — founded by his grandfather to give back—presented the facility with a $50,000 donation. Soloviev has also donated to local East End not-for-profits including Camp Good Grief.