Event Honoring 2 Long Island Grads Struck By Tragedy Grows — With Love

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — It has been eight years since Westhampton Beach High School graduate Cory Hubbard, just 22, died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while away at college, and three years since Dana Barrett, 29, of East Quogue was paralyzed following a pool accident. But for family and friends, neighbors and a loving community who watched the two shine at school and at all they pursued, the tragedies are just a heartbeat away.

And in the years since, an event has been organized meant to honor Cory and help Dana, who lives at New Beginnings, a community center for traumatic brain injury, and needs financial assistance.

Ralph and Holly Hubbard, Cory's parents, have created the "Live Your Cor" foundation, raising funds to help community members in need.

The event, the "Inlet 2 Inlet" beach cleanup, organized to benefit both the "Live Your Cor" foundation and Barrett, in her recovery, is planned for Monday, October 10 — and this year, the event's third, it's bigger and better than ever, according to Holly.

The Inlet 2 Inlet event, presented by Live Yor Cor, Dana Barrett Strong, & Relic, a T-shirt company that donates to many local efforts, will take place Monday on the Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach. Registration takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the cleanup, which includes removal of waste along the 15 miles of coastal beaches between Cupsogue County Park and Shinnecock Inlet.

At 3 p.m., the trash weigh-in takes place, along with prizes. The Inlet 2 Inlet fall fair, including food and beverage trucks, local vendors, live music, pony rides, and kids' games and activities, takes place from noon to 6:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn.

"The Live Your Cor Foundation was created in memory of outstanding young athlete and Westhampton Beach local, Cory Hubbard. Cory was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the street," organizers said. "'Live Your Cor' means to live your heart and to spread love and respect wherever you go, the way that Cory lived his life. The goal of the foundation is to 'pay it forward" by providing financial assistance to families who have suffered adversity or a personal hardship."

Also, organizers said: "Dana Barrett Strong consists of the community of friends and family who support East Quogue native Dana Barrett. Dana suffered a C2 fracture, resulting in paralysis from the neck down and the inability to breathe on her own. Dana's spinal cord has been permanently damaged but doctors have said there is still hope with extensive rehabilitation. The rehabilitation is a considerable financial burden, as estimations that have been given to her family are thousands of dollars per day. The road to recovery will take years."

Any donation will help to make an impact, with all profits going toward "helping these two great causes. Thank you in advance for your contribution to the causes that mean so much to our community," organizers said.

Holly Hubbard said she's deeply touched by the outpouring from the community, who has helped to grow the event in the three years since it was organized.

"Every year, it gets bigger and bigger," she said. "It's just unbelievable. It really is."

Barrett herself has become very involved with the event, joining planning meetings by Zoom and helping with raffles, Hubbard said. "She's excited," Hubbard said.

This year, Human Understanding & Growth Services, or HUGS, Inc., is also involved, with members helping with games and activities.

The event has shifted a bit, Hubbard said, with the beach cleanup, raffles and the ever-expanding fall fair, now on the Great Lawn. But always, at its essence, those who contribute are opening their hearts to remember Cory and to help Dana in her time of need. "This community is amazing," Hubbard said.

The Hubbards' son Kyle has also taken on a greater role in the planning. Hubbard also thanked Jack Clark, who has helped to take the event to new levels.

Both Cory and Dana grew up with a love of the beach, the water, of sports and sunshine and summer.

Dana and Cory, Hubbard said, "definitely knew each other." And for two young people who loved the water and the beach, the event, meant to keep the beach pristine, is a natural, she added. "Cory was a big surfer. He loved the beach. This a really good thing, in so many ways."

Her son, Hubbard said, would love to know that so much good is being done in his memory. "One woman we helped sent me a letter that said, 'You changed my life,'" Hubbard has said in a past interview. "We were so psyched. That was really great. It made us feel like we are doing something right. It feels amazing."

The event takes extensive planning, Hubbard said. "It's evolved. But it's nice to be able to help so many people in Cory's honor and in his memory. You really don't want your children to be forgotten. This is our way of keeping his memory alive."