Paddlers for Humanity, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in East Hampton, NY, has launched their 2020 Challenge, #ChallengeYourself, to raise money for organizations which better the lives of children through innovative and comprehensive mental health programs for kids and youth, as well as programs supporting families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. After making the careful decision to cancel the Block Challenge, an annual 18-mile open ocean paddle from Montauk to Block Island, the organization is inviting participants to #ChallengeYourself individually through paddling, swimming, running, biking, walking and tracking their progress on the Strava app along the way.
Participants are encouraged to raise $1,500, which directly funds mental health focused causes such as the Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports program by the Bridgehampton School, Callen-Lorde Health Outreach for Teens Program, Family Service League, i-tri, Project Most and The Retreat, as well as the P4H Catastrophic Fund whose ongoing support to individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic is making a difference in their lives. The P4H Catastrophic Fund has donated significant amounts to East End Food Pantries, Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center and OLA of Eastern Long Island.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3h9yXP0. General donations, donations to a specific paddler or to the Catastrophic Fund can be made by visiting https://bit.ly/3azVZw9. The challenge will culminate on Saturday, August 29 with a final challenge and celebration. The P4H Board Members will be hosting a Zoom party and will announce top fundraisers, share stories, celebrate achievements and give awards to the participants with the longest one-day paddle, most money raised and best social media presence.
“This year everyone is challenged in ways that we never expected, including Paddlers for Humanity,” said Co-Chair Fred Doss. “We determined early on that organizing the Block Challenge paddle did not seem like a responsible idea. With that in mind, we’re attempting to pivot to #ChallengeYourself, an opportunity for people to still engage in activities, reach out to friends and family and do some fundraising. The organizations and the people who we have supported over the years have greater needs than ever due to the pandemic and due to the fact that fundraising has been reduced. It’s up to us to continue to support those organizations and individuals who have relied on us. ” To date, Paddlers for Humanity has given away $1.94 million.
