8 Feel Good Stories of 2013

Over the past year, numerous residents and organization have stepped up to help those in need. The following is a round-up of headlines that focused on these do-gooders. 

San Gennaro Feast Raises Money to Support Southampton

The growing San Gennaro Feast of the Hamptons, which has been held in Hampton Bays in October for the past three years, has raised $2,000 for the Southampton Hospital. 

The feast committee presented a check to the hospital this month with the money earmarked for the hospital's Coalition for Women's Cancers. 

Friends Honor Memory of Schoolmate At Charity Event

Hampton Bays residents Megan Flynn, Ana Guario,  Katie Spellman were always the best of friends — they played sports together and studied together. Then, in April 2008 Spellman lost her battle to Leukemia.

Flynn and Guario decided to honor the memory of their friend by not only running a Rock n’ Roll Half marathon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Nashville, TN in April 2014, but also by holding a charity event at the Southampton Publick House on Dec. 26.

In the years since her son's death, AnneMarie McKinnon, of Hampton Bays, has not wavered mission to keep her son's memory alive by donating toys to kids in need. 

Hampton Bays Mom Keeps Son's Memory Alive Through Annual Toy Drive

Like in year's past, AnneMarie McKinnon McKinnon once again held a toy drive, collecting hundreds of toys to hand out to kids who are either in need or seriously ill in her son's name.

Southampton Kiwanis Donates Food Baskets to Those in Need

Southampton Town Kiwanis Club, a not for profit community service group,  donated 350 holiday baskets community member in need in Southampton and Hampton Bays in November.

Westhampton Beach Teen Distributes School Supplies to Needy

Ariana DeMattei, a Westhampton Beach Middle School student, knew her goal to fill 150 backpacks with school supplies for area elementary school students in need by the start of the school year was not going to be easy. But, last week, she reached her goal.

In early September, DeMattei, distributed the supplies she collected and purchased through fundraisers to 130 local students. 

Hampton Bays Students Collect Food for Needy

In the spirit of thanksgiving, students from Hampton Bays Elementary School participated in the school's annual Turkey Box food drive and competition.

According to the school district, for three weeks, each class at the elementary school collected and donated non-perishable food items for community members in need.

The East End Police Foundation offered its financial support to the West Hampton Dunes Police Constabulary during the PC Officer's Summer Kickoff Party at John Scott’s Surf Shack in June.

The foundation donated $1,550 for the constabulary to buy equipment for maintaining officer and traffic safety in the small village.