Community Corner

10 Ways East Hampton Community Members Stepped Up in 2012

A town police officer raised money for liver cancer research, and FedEx Ground customers demand a driver be allowed to return to his route.

One of the best parts of the East Hampton community — from my view, at least — is that people are willing to step up and help others. We've seen many examples of this over the past year, and I've selected just 10 as we continue our look back at 2012. Which one do you remember best?

Springs Resident Needs Financial Help During Cancer Battle

In October of last year, Tim Lee helped organized a benefit for a friend who was battling cancer. This past October, his friends threw a fundraiser to help him; Lee, a well-known Springs resident, is fighting Stage 4 esophageal cancer.

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More Than 100 Locals Take Part in Tunnel to Towers Race in NYC

More than 100 firefighters and their spouses from the East Hampton area left the South Fork before the sun came up to make it to Brooklyn for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers run/walk in honor of a firefighter who lost his life on 9/11.

Find out what's happening in East Hamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For the Orrs, it's been one bad break after another as of late: an injury on the job for mom, a job loss for dad, and most recently a bone infection that has resulted in hefty medical bills for the family. But, as they say, that's what friends are for. Members in the East Hampton American Legion Post No. 419 organized a fundraiser to lend the active members in the club a hand .

Fundraiser Aims to Buy Wheelchair Van for 'Medical Miracle'

Born with a mitochondrial disease known as PDH deficiency, Mia has little muscle tone from her neck to her belly button and can't hold her head up in a car seat, according to her mother Francesca Buffo, who owns a house in Springs where her husband Noah Zingarelli was raised. Mia's wheelchair doesn't fit the family's current vehicle.

Generosity Ensures Complete Thanksgiving for Springs Families

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, the Springs Food Pantry found itself 25 turkeys short. Larry Siedlick, who lives one hamlet over in Amagansett, answered the call and pledged the money to cover the cost of over two dozen turkeys.

Benefit Planned for 31-Year-Old Mother Battling Breast Cancer

When Cheryl Bennett found out she had breast cancer on June 1, she fell to the floor. It was news she never expected to hear at 31. Since then her family said she has shown incredible strength, facing the cancer, its side effects and even another illness with determination — all while raising her now 9-year-old and 13-month-old daughters.

School Raises Money to Help Defray Funeral Services for Student

In the wake of 15-year-old David Hernandez Barros' death, East Hampton High School students and staff are coming together to raise money for his family. Over $4,500 was raised right before his funeral, according to principle Adam Fine.

One Cop Raises Money for Cancer Research in Another Cop's Honor

Though the New York City ING Marathon didn't end up taking place on Sunday due to Superstorm Sandy, an East Hampton Town Police Officer who was going to dedicate her run to a retired officer fighting liver cancer raised $5,700 for cancer research.

Business Starts Petition to Reinstate FedEx Delivery Man

Owners of the East Hampton Business Service, a FedEx authorized ship center located in the village, started a petition on Monday morning to implore FedEx to reinstate delivery man Barry Gilliam, who lost his route. Since then Gilliam received a groundswell of support from East Hampton businesses and residents. Hundreds of his customers wrote in on Patch, on Facebook, through Twitter and called FedEx directly demanding Gilliam be allowed to return to his route on East Hampton Village, Springs and Wainscott.

Community Comes Together for Injured Lifeguard Doris Quigley

The East Hampton community has rallied around 17-year-old lifeguard Doris Quigley ever since she broke her neck in the ocean surf last month. September's fundraiser at East Hampton High School was no different with hundreds from different facets of the community showing up to lend their support.


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