Sweet Charities

The Week of Hope will launch on Thursday, July 25, at noon in Southampton Village, outside of Ralph Lauren in Southampton. Throughout the week, up to 200 local business owners, including Michael Kors, Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, The White Company, the Southampton Arts Center, the Southampton Chamber of Commerce, and Southampton Town Hall will have two-foot-wide yellow statement balloons (environmentally safe and re-usable) placed by their front door to symbolize hope and their commitment to raising awareness of depression and mental health.

The Week of Hope was created by Southampton resident Audrey Gruss’s Hope for Depression Research Foundation, a leading non-profit dedicated to fighting depression through research and education. The launch will be hosted by co-grand marshals Gruss and Arthur Dunnam accompanied by Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren.

During Southampton Shop for Hope, on Thursday, August 1, from 4 to 6 PM, several stores will offer shopping discounts and donate a percentage of sales back to HDRF. Geary Gubbins Sports will host a Race of Hope Kick-Off Party during this time, where it will offer refreshments, live music, and raffles and attendees can register for the race and pick up their race gear if they are already registered.

On Sunday, August 4, the final day of the Week of Hope, the fourth annual Race of Hope will take place around Lake Agawam at 8:30 AM. Visit www.hopefordepression.org.

Taste + Tour

Enjoy local oysters, sustainable seafood bites, and local wine and beer at “Taste + Tour,” to benefit Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program’s Tiana Bayside Facility in Hampton Bays, on Thursday, July 25.

Guests are invited to take a behind the scenes tour of the facility and meet CCE Marine experts and educators. All proceeds from this event will directly support the programming offered at Tiana Bayside Facility and enable local shellfish and habitat restoration work to expand.

For tickets, contact Kimberly Barbour at kp237@cornell.edu or call 631-461-5294.

Lobster Bash

Maureen’s Haven Summer Gala and Lobster Bash will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Dockers in East Quogue, from 6 to 10 PM. The event includes dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the foundation’s homeless outreach. To purchase tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4239471.

Mashomack Preserve

Join co-chairs Julie and Sean O’Shea at the Mashomack Preserve’s 36th Annual Benefit “Nature Unites, Let’s Celebrate!” on Saturday, July 27, starting at 6 PM. For more info and tickets visit www.nature.org/mashomack.

Matthew Raynor Benefit

Join friends of “Matty Ray” on Saturday, July 27, from 6 to 10 PM at the Boardy Barn in Hampton Bays for a fundraising event to help fund Matthew Raynor’s recovery from his spinal injury.

Catered by Maple Tree BBQ Smokehouse, with live music, Chinese auction with fabulous prizes, and more. Among the raffle prizes will be some of Raynor’s photos that he took while on the water.

The entry fee is $25, raffle tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, visit the Facebook event “Get Matty Ray Back On The Bay Fundraiser.”

jessica@indyeastend.com