Six teens, six nonprofits, one shot at $10,000.
Pitch Your Peers Teen hosted its inaugural pitch day at Scoville Hall in Amagansett on Sunday. The organization gives young people an opportunity to serve their communities and learn how local philanthropy works. Student members who complete 25 hours of community service each year qualify to present on behalf of a nonprofit, in the hope of winning a $10,000 grant for that organization.
Six of P.Y.P. Teen’s 12 members participated in this week’s session, pitching nonprofits with which they spent time this summer.
Chase Bohnsack, a sophomore at East Hampton High School, represented Hamptons Run Club, which supports mental health through movement and community. “I go there every Saturday. I want to make more of an impact for mental health,” he said. “We come together every week. We build community.”
Hudson and Walker Bohnsack, Chase’s brothers who are Ross School students in eighth and ninth grades respectively, supported the Springs Food Pantry, which distributes food to Springs residents in need every Wednesday. “We packed kids’ lunches as part of the summer lunch program and gave food to adults too,” Walker said. “We packed healthy food and vegetables and fruits from Share the Harvest Farm,” Hudson added.
Grace Dunchick, a junior at E.H.H.S., pitched for Share the Harvest, the only farm in the area that grows specifically to give. Last year, it provided more than 60,000 pounds of produce for 11 organizations. “It connects all sorts of nonprofits,” Grace said. The prize would help the farm protect its produce. “It will cover the entire cost of an organic sprayer, which will make working on the farm more efficient.”
Sailor Cangiolosi, a high school freshman, spoke on behalf of The Retreat, which provides victims of abuse, and their families, with safety, shelter, and support. “I love Pitch Your Peers,” she said. “I was so glad and grateful that I had the opportunity to help someone. I believe in karma. You get what you give. If you give all you’ve got to the community, it will come back to you.”
Charlotte Hall, a junior at Friends Seminary in Manhattan who spends her summers on the East End, presented on behalf of South Fork Bakery, which hires and trains local adults with disabilities. She spent her Saturdays at farmers markets, working beside bakery employees. “Not everyone is willing to put in the time and the training and the patience,” she said. “Because of South Fork Bakery, they’re gonna be able to move on and get other jobs.”
Brooke Bohnsack founded Pitch Your Peers a decade ago, adding a Hamptons chapter in 2023. The teen program came to life in the spring. “Nothing gives me more pride than seeing our teens so motivated to step up and to lead, in service to our neighbors and the community,” she said. “They didn’t just help our local nonprofits carry their mission forward, they found a sense of purpose and found joy in giving back.”
Members of Pitch Your Peers are currently reviewing the teens’ proposals and casting their votes. The winning pitch will be announced next week.
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Note: Alison Morris Roslyn is a member of Pitch Your Peers’ adult program and is eligible to vote on the winning pitch.