On Monday, August 2, representatives from the East End Fund for Children joined Citarella owner Joe Gurrera at the gourmet market’s Bridgehampton location as they announced a unique and innovative fundraising initiative during a special event celebrating the student artists of its summer self-portrait contest.
On hand were Bridget Fleming, Suffolk County Legislator, and Fred W. Thiele Jr., State Assembly Representative.
East End Fund for Children includes local non-profits The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center, the Children’s Museum of the East End, the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, i-Tri, Project MOST, The Retreat, and the Southampton Youth Association.
The RoundUp Fundraising campaign that will take place through Labor Day weekend. Shoppers at each of the gourmet market’s three Hamptons locations will be encouraged to donate to the Fund at the time of their purchase.
“We could not have asked for a better sponsor than Citarella. They have made a great commitment to our local community, staying open year-round when others pack up and leave, and now with their commitment to the East End Fund for Children,” said Tim Frazier, Executive Director of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center. “The fit is great both geographically and personally. Their three locations mirror our collective presence, they stand for quality of life, and we know many of their staff through our organizations. We are very happy to be official partners with this big-hearted, high-quality business.”
Designed to meet the needs of the community’s most vulnerable during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Fund for Children will help coordinate the efforts and build the capacity of each foundation.
“Between their longtime support of Meals on Wheels, the Boomer Esiason Foundation, and countless schools and other grassroots organizations, Citarella is an organization that understands the importance of community and giving back,” said Steve Long, President of the Children’s Museum of the East End, one of the seven members of the Fund. “The East End Fund for Children is incredibly grateful for Citarella’s help as we respond to the pressing needs of families still struggling with the pandemic’s fallout.”
Money raised during the monthlong campaign will provide essential food, mental health support, counseling, and educational and recreational programming to families living in the East End.
