Sag Harbor Father Starts Organization To Raise Money For Non-Profits

Several years ago, in the Southampton College era, the hugely popular “All For the Sea” summer concert series that the college held to raise money for its marine science program grew into one of the largest events on the East End and raised millions for its cause.

Though the music ended when the college closed and changed ownership, a new organization, inspired in part by those fundraising concerts of yore has launched.

Myron Levine, a former member of the college’s Board of Overseers and a current member of the Peconic Bay Public Broadcasting Board of Directors, started “All for the East End,” in a nod to its predecessor of sorts. The group, called “AFTEE” for short, is a nonprofit created with a goal of showcasing and supporting the “charity, culture and service” that not-for-profit organizations provide to the East End. It is looking to rally support and launch a “new era” of fundraising and organization integration.

The main fundraising vehicle draws, in part, on the model set by “All For the Sea.” AFTEE is planning a big fundraising concert and day of festivities in the summer of 2013, with the proceeds to be used by not-for-profits in the five East End towns: Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Southold and Riverhead.

The concert is set for August 19—a Monday, to avoid summer weekend traffic—at the 200-acre Martha Clara Vineyards on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, which its owners have donated for the event. A crowd of about 5,000 is expected. The lineup is far from set, and Mr. Levine acknowledged that the performers are not likely to be the international stars that had been featured at “All for the Sea” concerts.

In an effort to get all ages involved, the morning, from about 9 to 11 a.m., will feature festivities geared to families with young children under 10. From 1 to 3 p.m. will be events geared for the teenage set, while the main concert event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. and geared more for adults.

The bulk of the funds are to be deposited into a special fund for East End nonprofits or not-for-profits at the Long Island Community Foundation. Organizations can then apply to use the monies.

“The idea has just so resonated with the entire community,” said Mr. Levine, the AFTEE board president and a Sag Harbor resident.

Mr. Levine said the inspiration for AFTEE came from the outpouring of community support that followed the death of his son Joshua in November 2010. The younger Mr. Levine, 35, was killed in a tractor accident at Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett.

“People think of the Hamptons as this place of glitz and glamour,” the elder Mr. Levine said, “but for us, it was like Andy Griffith’s neighborhood, where people came together to support us.”

Mr. Levine said the new organization will launch a website soon and is also looking to provide a mechanism by which people who may not be willing to make a large gift would be able to bequeath money in wills to make large grants.