The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center continues to grow and add programming to further their mission to provide high-quality early education and support for working families in our socially and economically diverse community. Founded in 1969, Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center is the only licensed, non-profit childcare center on Eastern Long Island, addressing the critical need for affordable childcare and high-quality early education in a region considered a “childcare desert.” Fundraising events like the Summer Benefit, Tiny Feet, Big Futures, are critical in maintaining the center’s affordability whose fees are among the lowest in Suffolk County.
Saturday June 28th 5:30 to 8pm will be an evening of community, cocktails, and appreciation, the Summer Benefit will feature live music from Pete & the Stray Dogs, a Brooklyn-based Americana band, a silent auction featuring exciting prizes, and hors d’oeuvres and a raw bar from Annie Washburn’s East Hampton Kitchen paired with wine and cocktails provided by Wolffer Wines and Domaine Franey. The auction will go live mid-June and includes a rare opportunity to purchase a Magnum of Lafite Rothschild. As well, noted East Hampton artist Abigail Vogel has created a beautiful mural of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center campus which will be on display at the event. Guests will be able to purchase and place tiny footprints with their names on the mural to support the center.
A key highlight of the evening is the awarding of the Eleanor Prize. In 2024, the center established the Prize to keep Eleanor Whitmore’s legacy alive. This annual prize is given to an individual and/or business that exemplifies the spirit and good work of Eleanor and is awarded for dual roles in making a significant positive impact on children in our East End community and for supporting working families. Joe Gurrera of Citarella was awarded the Eleanor Prize last year.
This year, the Eleanor Prize will go to Peter Van Scoyoc. The Center’s Board and Executive Director selected to honor Peter not only for his leadership in securing Town financial support for the Center enabling more childcare for more families, but also as Supervisor Peter gave the center a platform to help communicate the vital role that affordable childcare plays in our community for businesses and our future. In addition to his public support while in office, Peter took time to visit the Center and read to the children as well as participate in countless “Moving Up” ceremonies as the pre-K children graduated to enter Kindergarten. -EWECC press release
Tickets are $250 or $150 for those under 40. Please visit the following link for more information and to purchase tickets: https://onecau.se/summerbenefit.
Here's why Macaroni KID Hamptons absolutely loves and supports the EWECC. For one thing, two of my three children attended Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center from 2016 to 2018. The center is light and full of positivity. You can feel and see it the moment you walk in. The staff really loves what they do and they love the kids. The second reason is I fondly remember Eleanor. She was a small thin woman with a heart of gold. We attended the same church. She was always kind, dressed beautifully, and absolutely LOVED kids.
Recently through Macaroni KID Hamptons I connected with Joan Overlock, Director of Development. We have had a wonderful partnership and I was so excited to see all the new developments EWECC has. She graciously participated in an email interview. See below:
MKH: Where did the idea of "Tiny Feet, Big Futures" come from?
EWECC: Early childhood education lays the groundwork for future academic success. It helps to establish habits and traits that prepare children for brighter futures – it instills a confidence and a love of learning. As we say – the first 5 years matter most – tiny footprints – following the pathway to big futures.
MKH: Is there an application process for the recipient each year of the Eleanor Prize?
EWECC: NO. The nomination comes from the Board. It is based on consistent support for the center but also beyond the center, demonstrable support for working families in our community. We are so grateful to have easily found two such individuals who exemplify that in their work and in their being – Year 1 – Joe Gurrera of Citarella; and year 2 Peter Van Scoyoc, the former East Hampton Town Supervisor.
MKH: What made you want to work at EWECC?
EWECC:I was so impressed with the quality of the program, the amazing caring teachers and the joy of the kids. Something important is going on here, I thought. To know that little ones (100 under the age of 4) are away from their parents in some cases up to 10 hours a day, and are so happy, so curious and engaged is remarkable. The energy and caring is infectious. I could work remotely but I get so inspired by the kids and by Tim & Mercedes that I work better because of the connection.
MKH:How can members of the local community get involved with EWECC?
EWECC: Contact me at development@ewecc.org if you would like to volunteer, or to set up a tour and discuss what you would like to do.
