Fifty-four athletes journeyed 18 miles from Montauk to Block Island on stand-up paddleboards and in kayaks last summer as a fund-raiser that raised about $180,000 for Paddlers for Humanity.
Paddlers for Humanity has put together the event, called the Block Challenge, for the last 14 years, with the goal of passing on the proceeds to other local programs and organizations.
“We started this clearly as what we thought was a unique event to do this paddle from Montauk to Block Island,” said Fred Doss, a co-founder of the organization. “Certainly one aspect of that is, ‘Gee, this is an adventure and it’s going to be really fun, and certainly a challenge.’ It’s extremely rewarding to be able to fund some of these really worthwhile programs.”
The Bridgehampton School received a $15,000 grant from the group. Robert Hauser, the district superintendent, said the money would support a program called Positive Behavior Intervention Services, which helps kids learn about good behavior and decision making. The money will also support the school’s farm stand, Sprouts, and several student clubs, including the Robotics Club, which will be heading to Orlando, Fla., in the spring for a competition.
“That is a dynamic organization,” Mr. Hauser said of Paddlers for Humanity.
“Each year, we usually have staff and students who participate in the Block Challenge,” he said. “Not only are other people and other charities helping raise the money, but so are our own staff and students.”
That means the efforts of the paddlers themselves come back full circle to have an impact, Mr. Hauser said.
Paddlers for Humanity gives a maximum of $15,000 to various groups. In past years the organization has given up to $30,000, but this year changed its giving guidelines to cap the amount and “share the wealth” with a greater number of groups, Mr. Doss said. Over the last 14 years it has doled out about $1.94 million to 28 different organizations.
The Retreat, a domestic violence shelter and support program in East Hampton, also received a $15,000 donation from Paddlers for Humanity. Loretta K. Davis, the executive director of the Retreat, said the money would go toward youth counseling, outreach and education, and anti-bullying initiatives. Services are free of charge and offered in Spanish as well as English. She said it would “help our whole community.”
“We’re so happy to have been awarded this grant and have the relationship with Paddlers,” Ms. Davis said. “It’s important to try to turn things around when children are young. This isn’t just physical — it’s also mental and psychological health. It’s important to give them the opportunity to learn about it, try to limit and prevent [violence], to learn about coping skills, and to be able to deal with trauma.”
Paddlers for Humanity also supported Project Most, the after-school enrichment program for students at the Springs School and John M. Marshall Elementary in East Hampton, and I-Tri, a youth triathlon and character education program for sixth-grade girls in East End schools.
The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, the Family Service League, the Wellness Foundation, and food pantries here also benefited from this year’s Block Challenge.
“Whether we gave the top amount or a little less, all of them are, we feel, extremely worthy of it, and we have a place in our heads and hearts for all of them,” Mr. Doss said.
