Hudson’s Helping Hands for Autism will host a WELL(nest) Day fundraiser at The Crow’s Nest in Montauk on June 8. We spoke with the organization’s founder, Kristen Teodoro, to learn more about the event and how it will raise funds for a new center in Water Mill.
Tell us about the upcoming WELL(nest) Day for Hudson’s Helping Hands. What are some of the classes and activations that guests can experience?
We are so excited to kick off the summer with our upcoming WELL(nest) Day fundraiser at the Crow’s Nest. We want the day to be filled with all the amazing health and wellness things the Hamptons has to offer! We have four of the best studios coming to host large group classes on the main lawn: Post House, FormulaXMeredith, Forward__space, and Gotham Gym, as well as ongoing yoga and breathwork sessions down at the beach. In addition to this, we will have a large variety of health and wellness exhibitors stationed throughout the property (facialists, masseuses, IV drips, cold plunges, etc.) and healthy picnic-style food offerings, which will be a blend of Crows Nest’s yummy foods and additional health food vendors from the Hamptons.
What are your goals for the event and your fundraising efforts?
Through a day of all things wellness, we will also simultaneously raise both money and awareness for a great cause. As Hudson’s Helping Hands hopes to break ground on its Water Mill center this fall, both funds and community awareness will help make it happen!
What are you most looking forward to at the event?
Everything! I am so excited to host, showcase, and try all of the amazing wellness-affiliated businesses that are on the East End. I am also looking forward to the energy that all four workout classes will bring to the event! I know firsthand that these instructors really know how to build a community and get everyone excited, and I’m looking forward to seeing that on such a large scale! I want everyone to leave this event feeling well, healthy, connected, and with a huge smile on their faces.
Looking back at how much you’ve grown as an organization over the past five years, what have been some of the most memorable moments? What’s next for Hudson’s Helping Hands?
I think overall, I love how Hudson’s Helping Hands has organically grown because our community saw us, saw our need for support, and has never stopped lifting us up and pushing us to where we are now. The East End is truly a beautiful community, and has really helped us take our message of inclusion and run with it.
I can’t really say there are one or two memories that stick out for me. They are all so monumental for me and Hudson’s Helping Hands. As a parent to a special needs child, I know firsthand how isolating it can be, and every single time we see a family, or even our own, feel connected and supported by the HHH community, my heart soars.
We are looking forward to breaking ground this fall for our HHH Center in Water Mill. This center is going to be a game changer in so many ways for special needs families, and we cannot wait to provide this safe space to our community!
