savesagharbor.com
we believe in VOLUNTEERING FOR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY!
Helping those in need
Bay Street is a professional not-for-profit theatre where Mainstage productions of new and classic plays are presented June - August. Bay Street also offers special performances, comedy, music, workshops of new theatrical ventures, and various educational programs which serve our community year round. Bay Street is looking for volunteers who are friendly and outgoing. They are the theatre’s ambassadors and often the face the public encounters most often when attending the various performances. In return, the volunteers are able to see the Mainstage productions for free as well as the various other offerings subject to availability.
Contact: Barbara Oldak at 631-725-0818 X206 barbara@baystreet.org
Buy Local/SHOP HERE
Buy Local/SHOP HERE is a free, flexible program of incentives and printed material intended to help increase retail sales in local East End shops, year-round, by using the merchants’ own, individually selected incentives, and to induce full-time and part-time residents to spend a slightly larger percentage of their regular budget with locally owned and operated merchants. Volunteers are needed to help with: In-store presentations; monthly emailings; maintaining contact with merchants to monitor the program and assist participants.
Contact: Barry Berger, 631-324-4484
Coalition of Neighborhoods for the Preservation of Sag Harbor (CONPOSH)
CONPOSH’s purpose is to facilitate citizen participation in an open government in which information is freely available, and important developments are discussed in open public meetings providing full opportunity for citizen review and input. Volunteers are urgently needed to spearhead new initiatives and continue CONPOSH’s good work.
Contact: vjustin@optonline.net
The goal of the Dark Sky Society Is to protect the night sky and our nocturnal environment by using night lighting sensibly. Volunteers are needed to contact local officials to enforce local lighting laws.
Susan Harder, Founder, East Hampton and NYC. Contact: Darksky.society@gmail.com
The East End Hospice is always in need of volunteers. It provides home health care, with short term hospital stay when needed, for the people of the Hamptons and surrounding Long Island towns.
Contact: Faith Tiner, 631-288-8400 or write info@eeh.org
Eastville Community Historical Society of Sag Harbor
The Eastville Community Historical Society’s mission is to collect and disseminate information about the history of the working-class community of Eastville, and the development and growth of the communities East of Eastville. The Eastville Society needs volunteers to “baby sit” our twice yearly exhibitions, answer telephones, and man the small gift shop weekends only from May 30 to October 1, 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays. Heritage House - 139 Hampton Street
Contact: Telephone: 725-4711; P.O. Box 2036, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Edible East End looks at ways to encourage people to support the sustainable and artisanal foods and goods produced right here on the East End. Their website list events, has fascinating articles (both historical and contemporary), and even a wonderful GUIDE to available sources of these tastier, more sustainable, more local sources!
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt
Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt is an all-volunteer environmental organization established in 1997 to promote the preservation, stewardship and public appreciation of the spectacular Long Pond Greenbelt. Volunteers needed for all aspects of organization: habitat restoration, web and print publications, educational projects, trail and roadside clean-ups, community outreach, events planning. What you do, we need!
Contact: Sandra Ferguson, President, 631-537-3752 greenbeltnews@aol.com
Fighting Chance is the first free-of-charge cancer counseling and resource center of its kind established on the East End of Long Island, New York. We are independent from any hospital and funded solely by charitable contributions, providing patients and their caregivers a better chance- a fighting chance - to beat cancer by helping them to take informed action. Free access to hard hard-to-find resources and professional counseling is available from the time of diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.
Contact: 631-725-4646
Group for the East End protects and restores eastern Long Island’s environment through education, citizen action and professional advocacy. We inspire people to embrace a conservation ethic. Volunteers needed for habitat restoration and osprey platform maintenance!
Contact: Kate Schertel for more information at 631-537-1400, ext. 208
You may have noticed a sign on the Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike with Habitat for Humanity's famous name and logo on it. Habitat for Humanity is building a house for a family of Rwandan refugees there, and there may be opportunities to help with construction.
Contact: volunteer@habitatsuffolk.org
The John Jermain Memorial Library provides a full range of library services to the residents of the Sag Harbor School District, including research and reference assistance; access to print, non-print, digital and archival materials; free internet access and public computers; a wide range of programming for children and adults including computer classes, jobsearch workshops, writing workshops, and story times. The library is currently looking for volunteers to help with our weekly English conversation classes for adults. Additionally, in cooperation with Literacy Suffolk, the library is looking for volunteers willing to complete literacy training to work one-on-one with a literacy and/or ESL student at John Jermain.
Contact: Catherine Creedon, Director 631.725.0049 x23
Ladies Village Improvement Society (LVIS)
The Ladies Village Improvement Society is an organization dedicated to maintaining the aesthetic and historic integrity of Sag Harbor Village. The LVIS invites you to join in beautifying Sag Harbor.
Contact: Esther Ricker, 631-899-3811
A group supporting all the food pantries of Eastern Long Island is Ladles of Love, spearheading efforts to make sure that pantries remain stocked through the spring.
Contact: 631-267-3312 or email them at info@ladlesoflove.com
Long Island Trail Lovers’ Coalition
Adding to the natural beauty of our area, including the Long Pond Greenbelt, is the Long Island Trail Lovers’ Coalition. Their object is to preserve trails for experiencing the beauty of Long Island by foot. You can go to their website and get lots of information on where to hike, and you may also visit Hiking Long Island, which also promotes the preservation of our wild places for the enjoyment of all, and provides hiking maps.
Contact: Ken Kindler
This international organization is very active on Long Island. They sponsor programs to increase funding for preserving land, working to save the Pine Barrens, the Piping Plovers, and the health of the Long Island Sound, and also run the beautiful Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island.
We work to protect and sustain the South Shore and Peconic bays of Long Island. We accomplish this by working to improve water quality and productivity in these ecosystems, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between our bays and our communities. As a public charity, we must operate strategically on a modest budget. Whether coming to our aid in fundraising, public education, or advocacy campaigns, volunteers are a crucial part of our overall success.
Contact: 631-653-4804 or info@peconicbaykeeper.org
Peconic Community Council/Maureen's Haven
The Peconic Community Council is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the highest level of health and human services for all people in Eastern Suffolk County, of Long Island New York. It includes Maureen's Haven. The goal of Maureen's Haven is to provide safe, warm temporary housing to those who are homeless from November through April. Transportation to and from the many houses of worship is included in the services provided. Dinner, breakfast, and encouraging support are provided by volunteers.
Contact: Maureen's Haven Director Denis Yuen, 631-727-7973
A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Peconic Land Trust was established in 1983 by John v.H. Halsey and a small group of local residents to ensure the protection of Long island’s working farms, natural lands, and heritage. Since its inception, the Trust has worked diligently with landowners, communities, and municipalities to protect more than 9,500 acres of land, conserving more working farms on Long Island than any other private conservation organization, and securing millions of dollars from the public and private sector for land protection.
Contact: their volunteer website, or call 631-283-3195
Sag Harbor CAC (Citizens Advisory Committee)
CAC’s represent hamlets throughout Southampton Town and present their issues to the Town board. Volunteers are needed to replace members who retire, and to keep Sag Harbor area issues strongly represented at Town Hall.
Contact: John N Linder
Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry
The Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry provides food for needy families in our area at no cost. The Food Pantry is dedicated to making a difference with their motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Volunteers are needed to collect, organize, and distribute food that is received, and the Food Pantry thanks everyone for their support this past year.
Contact: Barbara Wolfram, 631-725-4237
Sag Harbor Fire Department
Volunteering with the Sag Harbor Fire Department saves lives and homes!
Contact: Chief Robert Mitchell, or 631-725-0252
Sag Harbor Historical Society
The mission of the Sag Harbor Historical Society (SHHS) is to promote and encourage public education and appreciation of Sag Harbor history, to work for the preservation of historic buildings and sites, and to foster the preservation of the historic character of the village. Looking for historical information about your house, your family, an old Sag Harbor business? We welcome volunteers to serve as docents at the Annie Cooper Boyd house and the Little Historic Jail house during the summer. Sign up now for the best time slots. There is always a need for someone to help with indexing of both old family photographs and family documents, and is a wonderful opportunity to learn about your village.
Contact: Call the office at 631-725-5092.
Sag Harbor Tree Fund
The history of Sag Harbor can be seen in its waterfront, its houses and its urban forest. There are trees in Sag Harbor that are older than its houses by many generations. The Sag Harbor Tree Fund is a volunteer group devoted to stewarding the history and future of Sag Harbor’s street tree stock, an effort with environmental, economic, historic, and aesthetic implications. Since 1994, we have planted over 320 commemorative and celebratory trees and cared for them for three years, when they come under the care of the village. Membership on the committee is an opportunity to learn about all the variety of trees on village streets, to visit local nurseries, learn how to make tree selections, and how to plant and care for new trees.
Contact: Mac Griswold
Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance
The Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance provides Emergency Medical Service for the community. Join to better serve the community.
Contact: Ed Downes, 631-725-0826
Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum
The mission of the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum is to collect, preserve, display and interpret the history of our village and surrounding locales, and to place this within the broader context of the region’s history. Our Board of Trustees are all volunteers, and we depend upon countless individuals throughout the year to help maintain the building and grounds, create and staff events, and provide educational programming. We collaborate with other non-profit, educational organizations in delivering our programs.
Contact: Zach Studenroth, 631-725-0770
Sag Harbor Youth Committee
The Sag Harbor Youth Committee is dedicated to publicizing, facilitating and planning constructive and enlightening activities to enrich, entertain and educate youth in Sag Harbor. The Youth Committee needs volunteers to help update the “Sag Harbor for Kids” brochure and fundraise.
Contact: 631-725-1159 or write Nada Barry
Save Our Waterfront
Save Our Waterfront seeks to protect the last open waterfront and beach owned by Sag Harbor Village at the foot of the Lance Cpl. Jordan P. Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge to North Haven, and to ensure respect for this environmentally sensitive area. Volunteers are needed to do research, both environmental and legal, and to help disseminate information on this vital piece of land. Creative and dynamic people are needed for fund raising efforts to carry on this important fight.
Contact: Molly Dougenis
725 Green
725 Green is an environmental group that works to reduce pollution, and promote energy efficiency and conservation in Sag Harbor. Volunteers can get involved in a variety of issues: alternative energy, energy efficiency, transportation, trash/recycling, biking, pesticide use, communal gardens and local foods, composting, education and outreach, as well as helping to ‘green’ our businesses, schools, museums and library, etc, etc. If you want to help, donate, or to simply get on our email list.
Contact: Gigi Morris
The Slow Food Convivium of Long Island states as its goals educational events and public outreach that encourage the enjoyment of pure foods that are local, seasonal, and organically grown; caring for the land of the East End and protecting the biodiversity of our community for the benefit of future generations; identification, promotion and protection of economically and ecologically fragile East End animals, plants, fruits and vegetables; respect and support for East End artisans who grow, produce, market and prepare wholesome foods, wines and spirits; the revival of the kitchen and the table as centers of pleasure, culture and economy; and promoting a slower, more harmonious rhythm of life.
Contact: emhk@optonline.net
SPOKESPEOPLE (of Eastern Long Island)
SPOKESPEOPLE’S Mission Statement: “To enhance the quality of life on Eastern Long Island by promoting and facilitating road and trail cycling among citizens of all ages and all physical abilities for both
recreation and transportation.” Our goals are to improve cycling routes, develop bike paths and improve bike trails, to educate cyclists and motorists to coexist safely, and to increase the numbers of bicycle riders on the East End. Volunteers are needed for assistance with our events (mountain bike festival, kid’s obstacle courses, cycling instruction programs, future community bike rides, trails maintenance in East Hampton and Southampton trails systems), development of a bike-train to school program, as well as with organizational tasks (secretarial, web site, fundraising, and press releases).
Contact: Sinead FitzGibbon (membership) and Spenser Wright (president)
The Old Burying Ground Committee
The Old Burying Ground Committee is a volunteer group devoted to the care and preservation of the oldest cemetery in Sag Harbor. Through the efforts of one of Sag Harbor’s pre-eminent historians, Dorothy Zaykowsky, and her committees (including Susan Rowland, Andrea Meyers, Adrienne Harris, Oliver Peterson, Barbara Schwartz and others) going back nearly 15 years, this group has documented all the graves in the Old Burying Ground. Currently partnering with the John Jermain Library to get online records and photos of the graves and the inscriptions, this committee would love to have volunteers interested in preservation, local history, and education. The OBG is an amazing site for learning about history, local history, social life, the aesthetics of tombstone carving, the impact of the whaling world, war, early deaths for women and children, segregation and slavery.
Contact: Dorothy Zaykowsky
The Retreat is a 501(c)(3), not-forprofit, domestic violence organization with offices based in East Hampton
and Riverhead, NY. The Retreat is the only full service (with safe housing) domestic violence organization serving the five East End townships of Long Island. Services and programs include a 24-hour emergency hotline, legal advocacy/crisis response, an 18- bed residential shelter, individual and group counseling, as well as in-school and community-based educational programs. The Retreat also has an anti-violence, re-education program for batterers of family violence. Volunteers from the community are welcome and appreciated.
Contact: Kathy Schad, Office Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator, 13 Goodfriend Drive, East Hampton, NY 11937. Main Number: (631).329.4398, ext 100 and fax (631).329.2944
Youth Advocacy and Resource Development or Y.A.R.D.
Y.A.R.D. is a non-profit recreational program providing free activities to teens in the Sag Harbor area. Programs include the Safe Summer Beach Program, three evenings a week at Long Beach, for 10 weeks during the summer, the Community Room after-school program, bus trips during school holidays and many special teen events throughout the year. Volunteers welcome. Parents and teens are invited to steer the program by joining the Y.A.R.D. Board or Y.A.R.D.’s Youth Advisory Board.
Contact: Debbie Skinner 631-725-5302, ext. 750
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...and caring for our fellow creatures
ARF (Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons)
ARF welcomes donations of many kinds, from monetary donations to cat toys and dog agility equipment. There is a wish list on their website, or you may call them at 537-0400. Volunteers walk the dogs they house, and come play with the kittens and cats to maintain their socialization.
Call 631-537-0400 or email info@arfhamptons.org
East Hampton Group for Wildlife
In East Hampton, the East Hampton Group for Wildlife "promotes respect for all species of wildlife and explores humane solutions to human-wildlife conflicts," and "dedicated to helping East Hampton become a national leader in humane wildlife population control."
Contact: 631-668-3384
Another sterling group in East Hampton is East Hampton Waterfowl. This group raises and releases native and migratory waterfowl to help maintain healthy populations on the East End and elsewhere. Volunteers are welcomed, and your $25/per bird donation will enable you to restore flocks and to witness your bird’s release!
Contact: email Russell Calemmo or call 631-324-6363
Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
The mission of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is to provide for the welfare of animals and reduce the number of homeless pets. The Shelter is located in Red Creek Park, 102 Old Riverhead Road in Southampton.
Contact: 631-728-PETS
Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons
The Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons' goal is "to preserve and protect the region's native wildlife by providing rehabilitation services and public education concerning the factors that threaten its abundance and diversity." Contact: 631-728-9453 or email wrwrch@aol.com
Love being outdoors? There are wildlife refuges in our area that always need volunteers to clean trails, animal cages, and more.
The Morton National Wildlife Refuge, on Noyac Rd, may be contacted at 631-286-0485.
Further afield is Quogue Wildlife Refuge, at 631-653-4771.
And the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research has an excellent marine rescue program for seals, turtles, and other sea creatures. You can "adopt" a rescued marine creature via their website!
Contact: volunteers@riverheadfoundation.org
