programs supported
Students choosing free books
AUTHOR-In-Hand program
The “Author in Hand Program” goals are to encourage reading, and to put one enrichment book in every student’s hand. The program was started in 1992 giving students in East Hampton two free books in the spring that they could use for summer reading. In 2009, Bridgehampton, Wainscott, and Sagaponack schools were added. In the past few years, Amagansett, Montauk and Springs schools were also included in this program. Because of the added schools, we now provide one free book per student K thu 8th Grade from Montauk to Bridgehampton. This includes all public school students in the Town of East Hampton and Bridgehampton from pre-K to eighth grade.
Due to COVID restrictions in 2020-21, with help from Bookhampton, GEHEF was able to purchase books locally and distribute them to Grade School Students from Montauk to Sagaponack. Teachers, Bus Drivers, Administrators and Volunteers distributed books directly to students at home.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2023 CONTRIBUTORS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.
Amaden Gay Agencies, Amagansett Fire Department, Amagansett Teachers Association, Karl & Betsy Avalone, Robert & Rita Barnett, Claude Beudert, Bistrian Gravel, Sabrina Bistrian, Ed & Barbara Borg, Bridgehampton Fire Department, Olivia Brooks, Deborah Clemence, Ellen Collins, Kirstin Corwin, Dancehampton, Donna DiPaolo, East Hampton Lions Club, East Hampton Village Ambulance, Garneau Inc,Alilce Horsekneche, Susan Karches, Rachel Kleinberg, Krupinski Builders, L. W. Winslow Painting, Inc., Landscape Details, Clay Liffander, Neil MacDonald, Mickey’s Carting, Montauk Teachers Association, Joyce & George Moss, Lee & Laura Moss, James & Nancy McMullan, Osborne & McGowan PC, Peter DiGate Property Management, Rotary Club of East Hampton, Len & Mary Scioscia, Star of the East Lodge, Tarbet & Lester, PLLC, Lisa D. Thayer, John & Erin Tintle, Kelly & Richard White, Lee & Marjorie Winslow, Gary & Tracey Woleko.
The foundation will be supplying more than 4,000 students with books in the 2023-2024 School Year. The average purchase price is $8. To $10. In the past, the Scholastic Book Company has had a special deal for us where we buy one book and get a book for free — we no longer have this special deal. We are hoping to raise $15,000 to cover the balance of the cost of the books.
National September 11 memorial and museum trip for 11th graders
Each May, all 11th grade East Hampton High School students will visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in a large part through a donation of $5,000 made by GEHEF. This museum documents and examines the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the events that preceded them, including the first attack on the World Trade Center on Feb. 26, 1993, and exploring the continuing significance of Sept. 11, 2001.
East Hampton high school students performing at Carnegie Hall
Fine arts initiative
GEHEF has provided funding for Fine Arts Initiatives. This has included sending East Hampton High School students to perform at Carnegie Hall, providing monies for Springs School to perform their opera, and sent students to visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
During the 2020 COVID pandemic and restrictions, GEHEF worked with Rowan’s Golden Eagle to put together Art Supply Bags for Grade School students containing: Water color Pencil Sets, Paints, Brushes, Sketch Pads and supplies. Teachers, Administrators, Bus Drivers and Volunteers helped distribute the bags to Grade School students.
Students learning from a vistiting speaker
visiting speakers
Greater East Hampton Education Foundation has paid for various speakers to visit with students and teach them about character education. These programs have included Challenge Day, motivational speaker Bobby Petrocelli, and others.
THE TYLER PROJECT
The Tyler Valcich Memorial Fund has been established to increase and improve coordination and delivery of mental health services for students and their families in our community. Funds raised will be used to support character education services and programs to help predict and prevent some of the crises facing young people. For more information, go to http://www.tylerproject.org.