The Group for the East End “Swing into Summer” auction preview is underway, with bidding to run from Tuesday, May 4 through Saturday, May 8.
“Your support will protect our land, water and wildlife on the East End of Long Island,” Group for the East End says on its website, groupfortheeastend.org.
Organizers Katherine Birch, Graciela Dauhajre, and Kimberly Spacek have assembled amazing packages. Starting bids begin at $75. Donations at any level are welcome and can be directed to funds devoted to environmental advocacy, children’s environmental education and wildlife conservation.
Among the 54 auction items are domestic and international travel opportunities; luxury goods and works of art; sports outings such as golf at The Bridge, The Creek, Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, Maidstone, Sebonac, and Westchester Country Club; wine tastings and numerous options for dining; and, activities for kids, including horseback riding, chess, and story time.
Find details and learn how to take part at groupfortheeastend.org/benefit.
Among the featured packages:
Chef Tom Colicchio in Your Home
Sunset sail on Kelpie
After spending the last few years racing the finest yachts in the Mediterranean, Kelpie has returned to the states and taken her place as the crown jewel of the Hamptons fleet. Seeing her today, it’s difficult to imagine she was employed by the U.S. Coast Guard to hunt German U-Boats in World War II. Built in 1928, the 78-foot gaff-rigged schooner was named Classic Refit of the Year in 2014 by Classic Boat Magazine and has been impeccably maintained. Captain Shannon Carleton and crew will take your party of 12 for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise out of Sag Harbor with scrumptious small bites from Hamptons Aristocrat and glasses of Out East rosé from Côtes de Provence. Mutually agreeable date, Monday-Friday, Summer 2021. This package has a starting bid of $3,500. Donated by Captain Shannon Carleton and Katherine & Marco Birch, with rosé by Out East and hors d’ouerves by Hamptons Aristocrat.
One week stay for up to four in Andros, Greece
The northern-most island in the Cyclades, Andros is stunning any time of year. You’ll stay in a restored, 18th century house with views of the Aegean Sea from the rooftop veranda and balcony. Located in the heart of the historic car-free village of Chora, the Gounaris home is walking distance to beaches, restaurants and cafés. The three-story house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, ideal for two couples. The caretaker, Auntie Theodora, will cook rustic meals upon request and provide daily cleaning services at 10 euros per hour. Included is a naturalist guided tour through millennia-old trails connecting the villages and a visit to a 1,000-year-old monastery, still in operation today. It takes under five hours to travel from Athens Airport to Andros, including a two-hour relaxing ferry ride. It’s worth it. This package, which does not include airfare, is available on mutually agreeable dates in 2022 (with two months advance notice). The starting bid is $1,200. Donated by Nestor Gounaris.
Argentina Asado with Shelter Island’s Ray Congdon
In Argentina, an asado isn’t just a barbecue or cultural tradition. It’s an art form, and Shelter Island’s Ray Congdon has mastered it. Ray will come to your East End home and dazzle your 25 guests with a mouth-watering menu of bruschetta, bone marrow, raw bar, and grilled Roman blue cheese salad to start. You’ll feast on tomahawk steaks, salt-crusted Atlantic salmon, asparagus and sweet corn hot off the parrilla, a spectacular wood-fired grill, as well as smashed plancha-cooked sweet potatoes. Top off your meal with naturally, sweet-roasted pineapple and ice cream over plancha-cooked apples, pineapple and plums. Try the Dos Carneros tequila from Marco and Boomer’s bespoke private label. Also included are 25 gorgeous “Rent A Look” table settings of your choice. This event, to take place on a mutually-agreeable date in the summer or fall of 2021 on the East End, has a starting bid of $7,500. Feast donated by Ray, Wesley and Wyatt Congdon; 12 Bottles of Dos Carneros Tequila by Marco Birch and Boomer Coles; and place settings by Social Studies.
About Group for the East End
Since 1972, Group for the East End has led the way in protecting and restoring the environment of eastern Long Island through education, conservation, and advocacy.
“We fight for the protection of our land, water, and wildlife, we inspire children to become stewards of the environment, and we engage the community to embrace a conservation ethic and take action,” the nonprofit says on its website.
To stay informed, follow Group for the East End on Instagram. You can also sign up for Action Alerts to learn about advocacy efforts in these key areas: Land & Critical Habitat Protection, Clean Water Action, and Sustainability & Community Planning.
We are pleased to welcome Group for the East End to our Island Directory under Community Organizations.
